Man sentenced to 3 years in prison for series of house burglary and theft in Güzelyurt

Güzelyurt, North Cyprus – Mustafa Mazi has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Lefkosia High Criminal Court for a string of crimes including nighttime burglary, theft from a residence, and trespassing, following a series of break-ins at the same home in Güzelyurt.

The court, presided over by Judge Füsun Cemaller and comprising Senior Judge Vedia Berkut Barkın and Judge Tutku Candaş, delivered its verdict on Tuesday April 29. Judge Barkın read out the ruling, outlining the defendant’s actions and the legal reasoning behind the sentence.

According to court findings, Mazi first broke into the victim’s home in July 2023, entering through a bathroom window without causing damage. He stole a collection of gold jewelry, including earrings, a necklace, a bracelet, and a ring, all valued at around 125,000 TL. He later sold the stolen items to two jewelers in Nicosia, deposited the money into his bank account, and used part of the funds to purchase a plane ticket before temporarily leaving the country.

Mazi returned to the island on September 12, 2023, and just three days later, re-entered the same residence. On September 15, between 8:00 PM and 8:15 PM, he once again used the bathroom window to gain access and stole 1,000 TL in cash from a wooden box in the living room.

During the proceedings, the court highlighted the seriousness of the offenses, particularly the violation of individuals’ sense of safety in their own homes. “People should feel most secure in their homes. Crimes like nighttime burglary not only target individuals but also shake the confidence and peace of the wider public,” Judge Cemaller stated.

The court emphasized that such offenses are on the rise and must be met with deterrent penalties to prevent future incidents. However, in sentencing, the court also considered mitigating factors in Mazi’s favor, including his expression of remorse, his early confession, and the fact that he cares for his elderly and disabled mother. He also fully compensated the victim and was officially forgiven.

Despite these considerations, the court ultimately ruled that the seriousness and recurrence of the crimes necessitated a custodial sentence. Mazi was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to three years in prison.