Over 1,000 Offenses: 14-Year-Old Viennese "System Crasher" Must Spend Months in Prison

The boy had well over 100 prosecutorial records even before reaching the age of criminal responsibility. He and his 16-year-old accomplice received lenient sentences on Tuesday and must serve a few months in prison. The sentencing range was up to 2.5 years.

Juvenile Repeat Offenders in Vienna Committed Over 1,500 Crimes

The two boys, who still look very childlike, are said to have committed numerous burglaries in cars, shops, and restaurants with several friends, some of whom are not yet of criminal age. A police officer who has been investigating the gang for a year and a half testified in court that the boys are responsible for 1,500 crimes so far. The defendants appeared relatively unimpressed by the court. They entered the courtroom on Tuesday with broad grins.

The two knew each other "from outside," having met in a park. The 14-year-old Serb, who has been placed in crisis centers since the age of four, dropped out of school and spent nights out with his friends to commit burglaries. However, not to enrich themselves, but "because we were bored," as he admitted in court. His lawyer, Wolfgang Ebner, described him as a "poor devil" because the boy's parents showed no interest in him. "This is not an excuse, but an explanation," said the legal representative. The burglaries gave the now 14-year-old a "kick."

The boy did not like being in the crisis center. "They don't like me," he told the judge. "I preferred being outside." He had received offers from the Child and Youth Welfare Service (MA 11) to participate in football or martial arts training, "but I was the problem. I did stupid things. I thought I was cool," he admitted. He and his friends not only broke into cars, but they also took joyrides. Some of these ended with severe damage.

"Now the Day Has Come": Fun Ended with 14th Birthday

Until March 23, the boy could not be held accountable because he was not yet of criminal age. But even his 14th birthday did not stop him from continuing to commit crimes. He and his friends took a stolen car for a trip to Kahlenberg to "enjoy the beautiful view." On the way, they broke into a kiosk, which was observed by a resident who alerted the police. The boys managed to flee before the police arrived. The stolen car crashed into a house wall, and the gang fled on foot.

On March 28, it was at least the end for the two now accused. After a break-in at a car dealership in Donaustadt, where they initially stole three vehicles, they drove through the night in one of the cars, once again engaging in a police chase. The 16-year-old was at the wheel and drove rapidly towards a patrol car that blocked their path on Dresdner Straße in Brigittenau. The teenager did not hit the brakes, the police car was able to partially swerve, the stolen car overturned and landed on its roof. In the end, two of the young passengers were injured.

When it became clear that the 14-year-old was also involved in the incident, he was finally arrested at the beginning of April. The police officer, who has been investigating the group for a year and a half, and a colleague picked him up from the crisis center five days after his birthday. "So, now the day has come, he said," the boy recounted.

The Verdict Announcement

The two, who partially confessed, were convicted on Tuesday of aggravated commercial theft by burglary as part of a criminal organization and several other offenses. The 14-year-old, who is already serving a ten-week prison sentence, received an additional sentence of nine months and two weeks. Six months and two weeks were conditionally suspended. He must undergo psychotherapy and received probation assistance for the time after his release, as well as educational and residential directives. He is not allowed to leave the crisis center at night.

His 16-year-old accomplice, who had no prior record, received 15 months in prison, ten of which were conditionally suspended. Due to his aggressive behavior, he must complete anti-violence training - he had already clashed with the prison guards during pre-trial detention - and will be provided with probation assistance after his release. He was also given an educational directive. He still lives with his parents. Both verdicts are not final.

The trial was repeatedly disrupted by other gang members who wanted to attend the proceedings despite the completely overcrowded courtroom and kept entering the room. Those under the age of criminal responsibility who testified as witnesses either cheekily refused or could not remember the events of the crime. During the verdict announcement, they burst open the courtroom door, causing the judge to briefly pause her presentation, during which the second defendant yawned multiple times. "It is now in their own hands," the judge advised the two boys.

(APA/Red.)

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