Loot: a cell phone

Four robbers free after conviction

Four boys committed aggravated robbery over a cell phone and were therefore also found guilty in Steyr

(Bild: thinkstockphotos.de)

Four boys in Steyr paid for a gift for a friend by going to prison. Instead of buying it, they robbed it at gunpoint and have now been found guilty. One boy had ignored the fact that his birthday had far-reaching consequences. But one day after the conviction, they were allowed to leave their cells.

They attacked a 21-year-old in Steyr to fulfill a friend's wish for a cell phone. Four boys (17, 18) bought a special Glock signal pistol and also had a butterfly knife with them. They stole the desired smartphone and also took a smartwatch from the victim. But because the victim knew one of the perpetrators, the December robbery was quickly solved.

Two days were decisive
The quartet was remanded in custody, while a female companion, who was supposed to have filmed everything, remained free until the trial for aggravated robbery at Steyr Regional Court. Because one of the boys had turned 18 two days before the robbery, he was facing up to 15 years in prison instead of 7.5 years - he was no longer considered a juvenile, but a young adult. An accomplice, who turned 18 while in custody, was still in front of the judge as a juvenile with half the maximum sentence.

Guilty verdict without punishment
The robbers were sentenced to partial prison terms of between ten months (two harsh) and 24 months (four unconditional). The day after the verdict, they went home because they had served their time in pre-trial detention and had been granted conditional release. The girl (16) was found guilty, but without a sentence. She could face this if she does something stupid again.