A 17-year-old Wanaka youth who had faced a charge of injuring with intent was discharged without conviction in the Queenstown Youth Court yesterday, after Judge Michael Turner said he was satisfied the defendant had taken responsibility for drinking alcohol and for his role in a large group assault on two visiting Englishmen.
The youth was one of four teenagers charged in relation to the October 31 assault. The other three are awaiting sentencing or trial, and up to eight other boys have been dealt with by Police Youth Aid.
The victims, aged 25 and 27, who had been working in Wanaka, were assaulted by the group of teenagers after they left a bar.
One of the victims suffered a serious eye injury.
Youth justice co-ordinator Monique Campbell told the judge the victim had been represented at a family group conference where an agreement had been reached that a discharge should be given.
The youth presented Judge Turner with a handwritten project on the consequences of his offending and alcohol consumption.
He explained to the judge that consequences had included being charged and being required to do 130 hours' community service, and complying with a curfew. He had also attended alcohol and anger-management counselling.
The youth said he had "really embarrassed my parents". He also acknowledged the consequences his injured victim had suffered. He agreed with Judge Turner he was not mature enough to handle alcohol.
"The biggest lesson I have learned is that I have really let down my family ... Alcohol isn't as exciting as it sounds.
"It has made it clear to me I don't really need it, at my age ...
"I understand that my actions and what I did were really wrong," the youth said.
Youth advocate Tim Cadogan told the judge the youth had earned his discharge. He had decided to continue volunteering with a community organisation to which he had been introduced by the youth justice system.
The youth's parents said their son's curfew had been hard for the family, they had been "reasonably strict" with him and he had been helping his mother.
"Your Honour, we are very, very proud of our son," the father said.
The mother said: "We have been through a lot. We love him dearly. He is a good boy. He has done everything we have asked him."
Judge Turner told the youth he must have the maturity to withstand group pressure.
"You have to be brave enough to make your decisions and not go along with everyone else.
"It seems to me on this occasion you knew right from wrong, but you got swept up. If you had been on your own, it wouldn't have happened ... I can't condone your behaviour, which was criminal.
"But I am impressed by your response. You have accepted responsibility. I have every confidence this was a one-off and you won't be back before the court."
The judge also warned a discharge without conviction "is the only chance you will be given".
Police did not oppose the discharge.
