Further remand for youths

Press, 27 January 1988, Page 10

Further remand for youths

Two youths, aged 16, one with an alcohol problem, were further remanded when they appeared in the Childrenand Young Persons Court yesterday on charges alleging they robbed and assaulted a man in the city on Saturday, January 16.

The defendants were jointly charged with robbing Gordon Harry Lee of a leather wallet containing $3.50, and of causing Mr Lee grievous bodily harm with intent to commit an aggravated robbery.

One youth, who had been remanded last week in his parents’ custody, with a curfew provision requiring him to remain at home at nights, had his bail and curfew condition continued for the remand period, to February 9. The other youth, who had been remanded in prison custody last week, was granted bail yesterday by Judge Mahon, to February 16. Conditions are that he live with his mother, observe a curfew requiring him to remain at home from 7.30 p.m. to 7.30 a.m. each night, take; counselling from a minister at least four days a. week, and not associate: with the other defendant. Counsel for the. first youth, Mr P. M. James, sought the fortnight’s remand, without plea, on continued bail.

The second youth’s counsel, Mr S. C. Barker, sought the remand in Social Welfare Department custody, or in his mother’s custody, rather than in prison custody. He said the youth was taking counselling at the alcohol and drug addiction centre.

Sergeant K. J. Morrison said the police still opposed bail. The Department of Social Welfare’s court officer, Mr W. Paisley, said the police had opposed bail originally on the basis that the defendant was likely to "decamp” from the premises at which he was boarding. The department had been asked if it could take custody of the youth, but had “resisted” this because of the nature of the charge and the likelihood of the youth’s decamping. Mr Paisley also referred to the ‘-poor record” of the Stanmore Road Boys’ Home, from which some inmates were “prone to absconding.” He said no assurance could be given that the youth could be held, and returned to Court when required. Sergeant Morrison said the police’s main opposition .to bail was the youth’s boarding address. If he was directed to remain at his mother’s address, and with a curfew provision and that he not associate with his 'alleged co-offender in the robbery, this would change the circumstances somewhat.