Teen discharged after hours of volunteer work

Hours of volunteer work and crafting have resulted in a 15-year-old who stabbed the bully of his mate being discharged from Youth Court.

Porirua Youth Court Judge James Johnston was given a report yesterday that held a great number of photos of the items that the teenager had helped make to donate to places such as the Nest Collective, which gives goods and help to parents, and Women’s Refuge.

He said the teenager had also been helping to make kai for families who needed help.

The youth had been charged with wounding with reckless disregard in May.

While at school he had seen the victim take his friend’s headphones and other things. He accosted the victim while holding a knife. The victim dropped the stolen goods but punched out and in the fight he was stabbed, suffering serious injuries.

Under Youth Court rules, the youth’s name, the name of his victim or where it happened cannot be published.

His youth advocate, Craig Smith, said the teen was mortified by what happened and had admitted what he had done to police. Smith said he had been trying to stand up for a friend who was being bullied, but he had a knife and it happened in the heat of the moment. He had then not denied the charge in Youth Court – similar to pleading guilty in an adult court.

The judge said at a family group conference with the victim and his family that it was agreed the teenager would do some community work.

‘‘You have tried to put it right,’’ the judge told him.

The youth had made 668 items in only a few months for donation and intended to continue volunteering to help make food.

The judge said everyone supported the discharge from Youth Court, which meant it was as if no charge had ever been laid.