Explosive teen in custody

A 14-year-old boy at the centre of a chemical and explosives scare in Motueka has been remanded in police custody overnight after a judge's "grave concerns" people could be hurt if he was released on bail.

The boy appeared in the Youth Court in Nelson on two charges of possessing explosives, three charges of burglary and one charge of making a hazardous substance. His lawyer, Steven Zindel, said the boy did not deny the charges.

The boy was arrested and charged on Thursday after police seized chemicals and equipment from his house. Areas near the town's police station were later evacuated after a chemical fume scare.

Nelson Bays police area commander Inspector Brian McGurk said the chemicals had been taken to a nearby quarry and destroyed by a bomb disposal team.

Judge Paul Whitehead ordered a psychiatric report be done and remanded the boy in police custody until yesterday afternoon.

He asked Child, Youth and Family to try to find the boy secure care which he could be put into until October 17.

- NZPA