'Barefoot Bandit' sentenced to seven years over crime spree [View all]

[Spazito]

The 20-year-old "Barefoot Bandit" has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison after pleading guilty to dozens of charges.

Colton Harris-Moore gained international notoriety while evading police across America in stolen planes, boats and cars during a two-year crime spree.

Judge Vickie Churchill said "this case is a tragedy in many ways, but it's a triumph of the human spirit in other ways". She described Harris-Moore's upbringing as a "mind numbing absence of hope", and believed he was genuinely remorseful and contrite.

Friday's proceedings consolidated cases against Harris-Moore in three Washington state counties. He has already pleaded guilty to federal charges in Seattle and will be sentenced for those crimes early next year. He will serve his state and federal sentences at the same time.

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/dec/16/barefoot-bandit-sentenced-seven-years

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