Boy in 'disgusting' attack on preschool

A 10-year-old boy has admitted a "disgusting" attack on a kindergarten, but little can be done to punish him because of his age.

A trespass notice has been issued to the boy after he urinated over outside eating tables, smeared human excrement over doors, left condoms littered through the playground and scrawled crude messages on windows in red lipstick at Gwen Rogers Free Kindergarten in Mt Maunganui.

Staff arrived on April 3 to find the kindergarten had been vandalised for the fourth time in eight months.

Richard Shore, youth aid officer for Mt Maunganui police, said a group of intermediate-school-aged children led police to the boy.

While the 10-year-old had been at the kindergarten with a group of friends, police say he alone was responsible for the latest damage.

Asked what the boy's excuse was, Mr Shore said: "He said he needed to go the toilet, but not in such nice words."

The boy's parents are known to the police but Mr Shore would not say what for.

"We're dealing with a lot of kids who don't have a lot at home and they band together in the weekends in groups.

"There's a whole group of kids who live in the Links Ave area that use [Omanu] school and the kindergarten as play areas in the weekends. Omanu Primary School in particular is getting a lot of weekend intruders.

"Because of his age there's very little we can do with him.

"His school has come on board and are helping us out. They've been supervising him during the school day with work around the school grounds, at playtimes and lunchtimes."

Asked whether the culprit was remorseful, Mr Shore said his age meant he did not fully understand the implications of his actions, both financially and emotionally.

"He's had an article from the Bay Times read out to him by the principal and had it explained to him and he's also been made to write a letter of apology to the kindergarten."

After the attack, kindergarten staff had to cordon off the affected outside eating area and play area and spend two hours scrubbing them.

The 10-year-old left behind a pair of soiled boxer shorts.

Kindergarten committee president Chris Ryan said she was surprised the boy responsible was only 10 and was disappointed Mt Maunganui had "people of that mind" in the community.

The kindergarten has received overwhelming support since the attack including the donation of two security cameras from Guild & Spence Electrical in Mt Maunganui. It has also received cheques of more than $400 and donations from Mount Art Supplies, Tauranga Carpet Court and Mount Cane and Shells Warehouse.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES