Guangzhou's Panyu District People's Court has become the first in South China's Guangdong Province to offer a young offender the chance to mend his ways, rather than immediately pass sentence on him.

Li Weigang, deputy president of a law court in Panyu District People's Court, said the suspension of Wang Feng's sentence would last for three months.

"If 17-year-old Wang can correct his mistakes and behaves during the coming three months, he will be exempted from prosecution," Li said.

And of course, his case will not be put on his personal files, Li told China Daily Monday.

But if Wang fails to get his act together, he will be sentenced and could face a prison term. In addition, his criminal record will be added to his personal files, Li pointed out.

Although the court did consider that Wang had committed a crime -- the theft of 5,500 yuan (US$670) from a classmate last May -- as he is not yet an adult, he should be given a second chance.

The move makes the court a legal pioneer in Guangdong Province.

Wang returned to school after his parents signed a written pledge that their son would respect the law.

During the coming three months, Wang will be under the strict supervision of the court, the local police station, his neighbourhood committee, his school and his parents, Li said.

Wang's parents have been required to establish weekly and monthly inspection files of Wang and regularly report to the court, according to Li.

Meanwhile Wang has to hand over a monthly written report to the court, informing the judges of his activities in the past month.

Wang will not be allowed to smoke, drink alcohol, visit karaoke bars and Internet cafes in the coming three months.

He is also forbidden from leaving Panyu District during this period.

Wang, who comes from a poor family in Xinxing County in western Guangdong Province, was enrolled in a school in Yuwotou Township of Panyu District after he finished junior high school last year.

He was detained by police after he stole a total of 5,500 yuan (US$670) from his classmate surnamed Xie in their dormitory last May.

Wang admitted his guilt and pledged to turn over a new leaf.

Wang said he was very surprised that his sentence had been suspended.

Wang returned 3,210 yuan (US$390) to Xie after he was detained. The remaining 2,290 yuan (US$280) was used to purchase a new mobile phone.

Li Weigang said the juvenile court under Panyu District People's Court has been prepared to delay sentences in cases involving young offenders since the start of this year.

The court drafted new regulations to deal with the suspension of young offenders' sentences early this year.

The Regulations to Suspend Sentences to Juvenile Delinquents came into effect at the start of this month.

Sentences can be suspended for three to six months.

Many local lawyers and legal experts welcomed the court's decision to delay Wang's sentence.

Local lawyer Cheng Zhiliang said the Panyu District People's Court offered local young offenders a golden opportunity to mend their ways.

(China Daily September 7, 2004)