family circumstances of a Sandys teen who admitted a break-in.

Mr. Warner remanded Stephen James O'Neil, 16, of Somerset Road, into custody for six weeks, rejecting a suggestion by a counsellor at the Residential Care for Boys operated by Child and Family Services that he be released into the care of his family.

The woman, identified as Mrs. Israel, told the court that O'Neil's parents had investigated a treatment facility abroad.

But Mr. Warner rejected the mitigation, saying he had to balance the protection of the public from "thievery'' and said that Probation Services rather than Child and Family Services would now have care over O'Neil.

"He was committed by Family Court Magistrate (Carlisle) Greaves in February last year for two years and now he's over here,'' Mr. Warner said. "Over there that's kiddie court, or that's what they call it. They deal with things one way but I don't run a kiddie court.'' Mr. Warner remanded O'Neil in custody pending a report from Probation Services on whether he should be sent abroad.

Crown counsel Oonagh Goodred told the court Michael Saucy returned to his High View Lane home at 1.40 p.m. on January 19 to find a cycle on his property.

Ms Goodred said as Mr. Saucy approached the cycle O'Neil rushed past him and he pursued him for a short distance before losing him. A knapsack and jacket were found on the cycle and items in them pointed to O'Neil.

Later that afternoon he went to Somerset Police Station "to report his bike, jacket and bag were stolen'' but was promptly arrested.

O'Neil admitted being in the house, but left when he heard a noise and caught the bus home.