Cypris Buchanan, a 17-year-old boy, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison for an aggravated robbery of a Michael Hill jewelry store in Tauranga.
The judge, Judge Melinda Mason, praised Buchanan’s potential and his good prospects in a controlled environment. Buchanan had been serving a sentence of home detention when he stole a car and participated in the robbery.
Buchanan and his group were disguised and wore masks as they entered the mall. They used weapons to smash glass cabinets and stole jewelry. Buchanan personally broke the front counter’s glass cabinet and took jewelry worth $274,955.
The group then fled from the Bayfair Shopping Centre car park, almost colliding with other vehicles and a man on a bike. They then switched to another stolen vehicle and were later tracked by the police. Buchanan pleaded guilty to his involvement in the crime.
The judge reduced his sentence by 25% for an early guilty plea and by 20% further due to his young age and potential for rehabilitation. He also received a 5% discount for demonstrating remorse and a 10% discount for his background.
Buchanan received an additional three-month sentence for committing the offense while on home detention, but this was effectively offset by another discount he received. The judge acknowledged Buchanan’s bright future and the difficulties he faced in his background and circumstances leading up to the incident.
