Magistrate Carlisle Greaves overruled pleas from the defence and the Crown yesterday to be lenient to a young motorbike thief.

The acting Senior Magistrate fined Jason Pimental, 16, $250, although defence lawyer Llewelyn Peniston wanted a conditional discharge and Crown counsel Wayne Caines said the defendant should be given a second chance and sentenced to probation.

The court heard that the Yamaha was stolen this year from outside a business in Spanish Point Road, Pembroke, and later abandoned at the Airport dump.

Pimental, of Link Lane, Hamilton Parish, who admitted theft, said he found the bike and sold it to Aaron Simons for $100.

Mr. Caines said: "The $100 for the bike has been given back.

"If ever there was an instance where a young man should be given another chance, this is it."

But Mr. Greaves replied: "You really believe that c**p?

"Every fellow believes that in order to become a man he has to steal a motorbike.

"The message this sends out is that you can steal a motorbike and come to court and say you are a young man and don't give him a conviction.

"Every person that steals a bike and comes before the court is a youngster.

"At the Youth Court there are 13 and 14 year olds stealing bikes.

"Old men don't walk around stealing bikes, it's youngsters.

"Is that the message we want to send to Bermuda?

"That when youngsters steal bikes they just get reprimanded?"

Mr. Caines retorted: "The Crown is not suggesting sending a message that stealing motorbikes is OK and you can come to the court and get a discharge.

"You have to look at every different one and look for the best sentence.

"He has had no other convictions.

"The Crown submission is that probation or an absolute discharge (could apply) and not necessarily incarcerate him and put a blight on his record."

Mr. Peniston said Pimental came from a broken home and that he himself was mentoring him by teaching him at evening classes.

"There are redemptive qualities in everyone and everyone deserves a second chance," he said.

But Mr, Greaves hit back: "That's the same speech I hear every time and we need to teach them responsibility.

"Just because he came from a broken home, why do you need all these negative things?

"You make choices all the time and you don't need to steal motorbikes.

"I am tired of dealing with youngsters and with all the people who are making excuses for them.

"You are going to have to learn to work for what you want and not steal it."

Simons, 16, who received the stolen bike from Pimental, was fined $250 when he pleaded guilty to stealing the bike.