WAILUKU, Maui — A 17-year-old has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for abducting another youth and keeping him in the trunk of a stolen car last year on Maui.

"You present to this court probably the most difficult sentencing decision that this court has made in a number of years," 2nd Circuit Judge Joel August told Preston Latu.

"I don't think there has been anybody of your age that the court has considered to be ineligible for probation.

"The court likes to bend over backwards to give young people a chance to prove they can turn their lives around."

But August said he didn't believe Latu would comply with the rules of probation and placing Latu on probation would be a "disservice" to Latu and the community.

Latu, of Wailuku, faced charges as an adult after Family Court waived its jurisdiction over him. Deputy Prosecutor Carson Tani said one reason for the waiver was that the Family Court felt they could no longer help Latu, who has juvenile record.

"They had been trying for years to reach him, to get across the point that he needed to change," Tani said.

Latu had pleaded no contest to reduced charges of second-degree robbery and first-degree unlawful imprisonment, along with unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree terroristic threatening and driving without a license.

According to police, Latu was stopped by officers on the night of Nov. 22 while he was driving a car he had taken from a 19-year-old Wailuku man who was found in the trunk of the vehicle.

The carjacking victim didn't suffer any serious physical injuries, but "the mental trauma that he suffered will probably be with him for a while," Tani said.

Latu said Friday in court that he was ready to change after nearly five months in jail.

"All I get is my grandma. I just like get out and take care her," he said. "I wish I could apologize to the people that I've done wrong against."

Latu's attorney, Anthony Vierra, said his client would have been a good candidate for a shorter five-year term and other conditions as a youthful offender but Latu wasn't eligible because his juvenile record includes felony convictions.

Latu is also facing multiple counts for theft from his grandmother in Family Court, attorneys said.August recommended that Latu be held separately from career criminals and receive special rehabilitation.