THREE teenagers who entered a vacant property have been warned of the consequences of a criminal conviction in Orange Children’s Court.
The boys, two aged 14 and one aged 15, were cautioned without conviction for the offences of trespassing and malicious damage.
At 6.30pm on February 3 police were notified that three young males had broken into a premises in Bathurst Road.
The teenagers were arrested as they tried to leave via a side door.
Police saw a broken window at the back of the premises with drain pipe underneath it that was damaged when the juveniles climbed in.
The house was vacant apart from a few pieces of furniture.
The teenagers told police they were hiding out and waiting for more friends to arrive.
Legal representatives for the boys said none had a prior history of offending.
“His parents say they’re mortified at the charges. It’s completely out of character for him,” Solicitor Rebecca McIlveen said of her client.
Magistrate Terry Lucas told the boys a conviction could affect their future travel and employment opportunities.
“If you want to do anything sport wise, and you got a criminal conviction, quite often you won’t be able to go to places like the United States or Britain. Choose your mates. Make sure they don’t drag you down,” he said.
