by P.J. Harston
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 15/97) - A high school student expelled last fall after police charged him with stealing school property has been thrown in jail for a month.

Territorial court judge Michel Bourassa sentenced Robin Castle to 30 days in jail after the 19-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing a $900 computer from the school.

Crown lawyer Diane Sylvain told court a Sir John Franklin high school teacher saw Castle walking down a hallway Oct. 23 with something bulky under his jacket.

Castle, who had just left the school counsellor's office, put the object in another student's locker. Castle was charged with theft after the object was found to be a school printer.

Sylvain asked Bourassa to sentence Castle to a "short, sharp shock" of 60 days in jail.

Castle's criminal record, she told court, includes several previous convictions including an assault that netted him 12 days in jail on an intermittent sentence.

Defence lawyer Olivia Rebeiro suggested a large fine or another intermittent sentence would be punishment enough.

"He's 19 years old and there's still time for him to learn from his mistakes," said Rebeiro.

She asked Bourassa to take into consideration that the printer was recovered quickly and that Castle wants to enrol at St. Patrick's high school to continue with his education.

Bourassa, who said he has dealt with Castle on previous court appearances, took no pity on the young man's predicament.

"I remember you when you were just a little kid. It's only going to get worse from here on in -- your sentences are only going to get longer," said Bourassa.