A couple wanted their son and his mates given a telling off by the police for a stolen credit card spree at the mother's expense, but the tough love all got a bit serious and ended in court.
It led to 17-year-old Nathan Hobson standing in the dock in Christchurch District Court and being told by Judge Philip Moran that he faced a maximum sentence of 21 years in prison.
Hobson's parents were in court today as their son stood in the dock next to his mate, Kierran Baker, also 17.
Hobson, a labourer, admitted three charges of dishonestly using the bank card, and Baker admitted one.
Police prosecutor Trudi Aickin said Hobson had stolen his mother's Visa card in June and supplied it to five associates who used it for a spree of transactions totalling about $720 around Christchurch.
Hobson used it nine times and spent $303, and Baker got the card from him and used it for 10 transactions totalling $290.
The purchases were made for the benefit of the whole group.
Defence counsel Kerry Cook said Hobson's parents wanted the police to give the youngsters a stern talking to.
"They would then get diversion (a scheme for first offenders) and the lesson would be learnt for the rest of their lives," he said.
But he said there was no even-handedness in the police approach, and the two had been charged.
"The police said it was far too serious for diversion. It's gone far beyond what was intended."
Mr Cook and Baker's defence counsel, Karen Feltham, said both youths had the money available to repay Hobson's parents.
Judge Moran asked the teenagers if they knew what the maximum penalty was for dishonestly using a document, and they replied that it was seven years for each charge. That meant Hobson was potentially facing 21 years.
But he said both youngsters had acknowledged their offending, taken responsibility, and pleaded guilty.
"I am persuaded that young men setting out on their lives don't need convictions for such serious charges."
He discharged them without conviction and ordered them to pay back the money.
