The Court of Appeal has increased the prison sentences of two men convicted of multiple residential burglaries, ruling the original penalties were too lenient. The men admitted to carrying out numerous nighttime burglaries, stealing jewellery, cash, and other valuables amounting to tens of thousands of euros, as well as laundering €43,780 obtained through these offences.

The appeals court found that the Nicosia District Court failed to properly consider the repeated nature of the crimes as an aggravating factor. It emphasized that residential burglaries, especially those targeting occupied homes, including that of a 96-year-old woman, are serious offences warranting firm punishment to protect public safety and deter similar crimes.

Consequently, the sentences for the most severe night-time burglaries were increased from 22 to 36 months, and the money laundering sentence rose from 24 to 36 months. The Court of Appeal concluded that the original punishments did not adequately reflect the gravity and persistent nature of the offenders' criminal activity, reinforcing the need for deterrent penalties in burglary and theft cases.