remorse for a break-in spree at the Clocktower Mall in Dockyard.

He committed the 15-year-old boy to a juvenile home for two years and warned him that if he continued with a life of crime he could "find yourself in a much more serious place'' like Westgate Correctional Facility.

The boy -- in school uniform -- smiled as Mr. Greaves read out a social inquiry report in which a probation officer wrote of "grave concerns'' for the boy.

The probation officer added there was "a real need for a structured environment'' because the home environment was a "catalyst for much'' of his criminal and disruptive behaviour.

The boy had pleaded guilty to the June break-ins at Burrows Lightbourne, Making Waves, the Humidor, and another store at the Clocktower Mall.

He told probation officers: "That was a lifetime experience -- if I was in the States, I would have had a ball! "I was in my glory,'' he continued. "When you're in that kind of predicament you don't think (about being afraid). You don't panic -- that's professional.'' "You have to change your course, boysie!'' the Barbadian magistrate told the boy. "You're approaching a stage where this type of behaviour can bring more punishment. You could find yourself in a much more serious place.

"You told them you felt like you were in a movie when you were stealing that money from the Mall?'' he asked. "You like watching American movies? "Well I tell you Hollywood movies are not real. American prisons are real.

They got some real bad men in them, the kind where you have to sleep with only one eye closed and if you're not careful...'' Mr. Greaves told the boy about his and panelists Yvonne Simmons and Alfred Augustus' deliberations: "It was like a choir in here! We were making so many sounds in here as we read this report.

"This is the most colourful probation report I can ever remember seeing,'' Mr. Greaves continued. "Look at you, you're laughing! "Young man, don't be out there learning how to be this Ali Baba (thief) you're growing up to be.'' Afterward, Mr. Greaves expressed his concern that the proposed juvenile facility that is awaiting approval might mix children who are just in need of care with minor offenders who could be housed with serious cases.

Talking about the Clocktower Mall thief, Mr. Greaves said: "How do you put him in the same facility when he is only in need of care due to family circumstances.

"With his penchant for nudie magazines? Can you imagine what boys like him will teach the others?'' he asked.

"We have to be careful how we do these things. It's too big a risk. I'll wait and see what these new proposals are that I'm hearing about. I saw it in the newspaper. But I'm not criticising any person -- I'm just curious.''