Tyrone Mokaraka seems to have little reason for why he helped attack Salvation Army volunteer Martin Lynch.
But for Mr Lynch's physical tenacity and a large dose of luck, Mokaraka could have been facing a murder charge and a long stretch in jail.
Mokaraka had been drinking the night heattacked Mr Lynch. He had two mates with him - both are being dealt with in the Youth Court. We can't name them - something about protecting the little scumbags. But everyone within two degrees of separation of them will know who they are, and some will probably laud them for their act of cowardice.
Mr Lynch says he will forgive his attackers - it demonstrates a good heart and a personal faith that none of his attackers are ever likely to exhibit.
These kids were 18 and under. About the same age as the young people involved in the annual Stage Challenge event celebrated in our pages today. I wonder at what point in their lives these two very different sets of kids became destined to follow different paths.
They have at same stage made a choice to express themselves physically in a creative, positive manner or with violence.
It's here that any adult within cooee of both examples of these kids should put their hands up - either in shame, or to take a compliment.
Because the recent, devastating spate of suspected youth suicide in Northland tells us that our kids, until they fully mature, need our help in guiding them through life.
