A FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD Berbice High School student, who pleaded guilty to a charge of wandering, was sentenced Thursday , to two years at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC). Magistrate Adela Nagamootoo, who sent the teen to the correctional institution, had, earlier, sought alternatives for her after noting that the statistics emanating from the NOC were alarming.
However, Probation Officer Maisie Sheppard informed the Court that the juvenile has shown no sign of remorse and had moved out of her mother‘s home to cohabit with a male.
Further, the teenager had threatened to kill members of her family if she is allowed to return to the house, the officer reported.
In concluding her report, Sheppard advised that the teenager needs to be rescued and given the encouragement she deserves, with the aim of curbing her wandering tendencies.
She should be given an opportunity to recommence and complete her formal education in preparation for the world of work, the compilation recommended.