Who knew this was still a crime? Teenager charged with SACRILEGE for 'stealing guitars' from a church
- The teenager was charged with sacrilege over the robbery of a place of worship
- Police have accused the 19 yo of raiding the Adelaide Chin Christian Church
- Under SA law crimes against the church carry a max penalty of life in prison
A teenager could face life in prison after being charged with an offence that many would be stunned to learn is still around in the 21st century.
A 19-year-old man from the northern Adelaide suburb of Elizabeth East was charged with sacrilege for allegedly stealing electric guitars and sound mixer after breaking in to the Adelaide Chin Christian Church early on Thursday morning.
The charge of sacrilege, or violating the church, carries a maximum penalty of life in prison, reflecting how seriously it was viewed when put on the South Australian statute books in 1935.
David Plater, the deputy director of the South Australian Law Reform Institute, told ABC News that the charge was a 'throwback to a different time'.
'It kind of brings the law into disrepute, in a way, when you have these laws,' Dr Plater said.
But he said robberies relating to a place of worship tend to be considered more serious than other thefts.
'If you're religious or not, that is a pretty mean, nasty crime,' he said.
Police photograph two guitars which were allegedly stolen for inside the Adelaide Chin Christian Church
Detectives dust for forensic evidence after the crime against the church on Thursday morning
Security arrived just after 1am on Thursday after motion sensors on the church grounds triggered an alarm, and they called police after finding the allegedly stolen goods.
The teen was found in a nearby reserve shortly afterwards.
The church, which opened in 2016, is operated by Christians from the predominantly Buddhist nation of Myanmar.
CCTV footage shows a male wearing all black entering the premises through a broken door, and using a trolley to wheel goods out of the building
Community members fled to Australia, saying they faced persecution in Myanmar.
The break-in was unsettling for Pastor Mang Hleicung.
'Very disappointing. It is really unexpected to see that happen to the church,' he told Nine News.
'They attempted to break in many times but this time they did a lot of damage,'
In addition to the guitars a $20,000 sound mixer was found on the ground outside the church property which is used to broadcast sermons to the 1100 strong congregation.
The church which began running sermons in 2016, is operated by the Chin community who practice the Christian faith in a traditionally Buddhist Myanmar
The 19-year-old charged over the incident was out on bail for another offence committed only four days earlier according to the Adelaide Advertiser.
He faced the Elizabeth Magistrates Court via video link on Thursday charged with serious criminal trespass and theft.
The teen's legal representative Elliot King urged the court to consider a suspended sentence.
'(He is) illiterate which would make him vulnerable in a custodial setting,' Mr King said.
He pointed to a history of ADHD and 'concentration issues.'
He was granted bail to appear before court again on September 18, but not without a warning from Magistrate Gary Gumpl
'If you are caught next time, you might have difficulty getting bail,' he said.
In addition to the guitars a $20,000 sound mixer was found on the ground outside the church property which is used to broadcast sermons to the 1100 strong congregation
