▲ File photo of a convenience store (The photo above is not related to the article.)
A man in his 30s who worsened his criminal charges by assaulting a convenience store owner after being caught stealing and even spitting on responding police officers has avoided serving prison time.
The Chuncheon District Court Criminal Division 2 (Presiding Judge Kim Seong-rae) announced today (October 13) that it sentenced A, a man in his 30s indicted on charges including theft, quasi-robbery, and obstruction of official duties, to one year and six months in prison suspended for three years.
In April of last year, A stole a beverage worth 3,200 won at a convenience store in Hongcheon-gun.
Just 30 minutes later, A returned to the same convenience store and hid snacks worth 4,100 won in his pocket. While walking out, he was caught by the owner. When apprehended, A kicked the owner and pushed him with both hands.
Furthermore, when arrested on the spot as a flagrant offender by police officers dispatched following a 112 report, A spat in their faces multiple times.
Consequently, what could have ended as a simple theft escalated through successive assaults into quasi-robbery and obstruction of official duties.
The court explained, "In light of the circumstances and details of the crimes, the responsibility is not light," adding, "The sentence was determined by taking into consideration factors such as the relatively small value of the stolen items, the likelihood that mental illness partially influenced the crimes, and the defendant's pledge to prevent reoffending while receiving inpatient treatment."
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