Prison sentences

Criminal quartet committed various acts of violence

No desire to work, but a longer criminal record.

(Bild: Chantall Dorn, Krone KREATIV)

Three Syrians and one Afghan had to answer to the Feldkirch Regional Court on Monday. Armed with knives and brass knuckles, the youths lay in wait for a pupil in order to rob him. Public prosecutor Richard Gschwenter called for a crackdown.

Apart from previous convictions, the four boys, aged 15, 16 and 20, have nothing to show for themselves. None of them really want to work either. At least that's what the defendants conveyed quite impressively during the jury trial. Asked by the presiding judge Christoph Stadler about their employment, the four offenders need a lot of help from their defense attorneys in order to report on half-hearted efforts and alleged trial dates at the end.

The criminal quartet has to stand trial for crimes committed in Feldkirch. Having just been released from custody for theft and violating the Weapons Act, the 16-year-old first defendant armed himself with a knuckleduster to commit another robbery at the bus station. He targets another teenager. First he bums a cigarette off the victim. When the boy opens his fanny pack, the accused tries to rob him. The robber's two brothers, who rush to help, also get their share. Shortly afterwards, the accused escapes.

Public prosecutor Richard Gschenter.

(Bild: Chantall Dorn)

At the beginning of January, the next crime took place in the schoolyard of the secondary school in Levis. This time with the support of the three defendants. Here they tried to force a chic designer jacket and fanny pack from a pupil. When the boy refuses to hand over the items, the then 14-year-old co-defendant asks an accomplice to pull out a knife. The victim finally hands over the items "voluntarily", but presses charges. The first defendant is now also accused of threatening the victim to withdraw the complaint.

In the hope of a lenient sentence, the defendants are playing innocent. One also claims to have been drunk, while another suddenly needs an interpreter, which is why the trial has to be interrupted.

Meanwhile, public prosecutor Richard Gschwenter finds clear words on the subject of young people's propensity for violence. His appeal to the lay judges: "We need to think about how we want to shape the future in our country for ourselves and our children. It is unacceptable for a group of young people with knives and brass knuckles to be waiting outside a school. No shot across the bow will help here, only a clear signal."

Quartet sentenced to prison
The verdict came late in the evening: all four defendants were found guilty. The first defendant receives 18 months in prison, a previous sentence of 6 months is revoked. He will serve a total of 24 months in prison, but has the option of applying for an ankle bracelet. Another juvenile is sentenced to six months in prison, albeit limited to three years. He also receives a fine of 1440 euros. The next is to spend 21 months behind bars, 14 of which are suspended. The revocation of an old sentence was waived.

The fourth in the group receives nine months' imprisonment, albeit suspended for three years and a fine of 1440 euros. The defense attorneys waive their right to appeal. The public prosecutor makes no statement. The sentences are therefore not legally binding.