A teenager who bragged about having a bag full of women's bathing suits stolen during the Vancouver Stanley Cup riot has pleaded guilty but will receive no punishment.

Nineteen-year-old Karanvir Singh Saran received an absolute discharge in Surrey provincial court on Nov. 2 after admitting guilt on a single charge of possession of stolen property, Crown spokesman Neil MacKenzie told ctvbc.ca.

Prosecutors had asked for Saran to serve some community service, but were turned down by the judge.

Saran was arrested just one day after waves of destruction and looting spread through downtown Vancouver in the wake of the Canucks' loss to the Boston Bruins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

He was turned in by a teacher at his Surrey high school, according to RCMP spokesman Cpl. Drew Grainger.

"He was overheard in a classroom on June 16 saying that he was in possession of some clothing -- women's swimwear, specifically -- that was obtained from a merchant during the downtown riot the night before," Grainger said.

He added that although he could not comment on the judge's decision, absolute discharges are common for young people with no criminal record who have expressed remorse.

Investigators were unable to prove that Saran had actually participated in the looting. He was overheard admitting to stealing the swimsuits, but later denied doing so.

Store owner Blain Gowing said he was "absolutely astounded" to hear of Saran's absolute discharge.

"The fact that this has happened with this individual is incredible," he said.

"Vancouverites have been waiting and expecting more. Somebody needs to account for that kind of a result."

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson told reporters that he feels let down by the decision to grant an absolute discharge in what is believed to be the first guilty plea associated with the riot.

"It's really disappointing if we don't see significant statements made with the sentencing," Robertson said.

"It sends absolutely the wrong message."

Grainger said he believes the single charge against Saran is the only one to have been recommended by Surrey Mounties in connection with the riot, because an integrated riot investigation team took over all riot-related files shortly after the young man's arrest.

The charge against Saran was approved by Crown prosecutors on July 11, months before Vancouver police investigators would recommend any charges against alleged rioters.

After heavy and sustained criticism about the slow pace of the investigation, the riot team forwarded its first round of case files to Crown counsel on Oct. 31, recommending 163 charges against 60 suspects.

Prosecutors are still reviewing the recommendations and have yet to approve any of them.