Girl on bus driver charge kept in police custody

A 15-year-old girl charged with a serious assault on a bus driver has been remanded in police custody because Social Welfare has no secure beds available.

Defence counsel David Ruth told the Youth Court the girl would not deny the charge of intentionally injuring the bus driver. She would also not deny a charge of shoplifting chocolate but would deny stealing $250 from the bus.

The 53-year-old driver has been in Christchurch Hospital recovering from severe bruising, cuts to his head and neck, and suspected spinal injuries after the Saturday night assault, allegedly committed by a group of girls.

The girl's name cannot be published because of her age.

Mr Ruth asked for a family group conference to be arranged and this was set for June 6.

Police Youth Aid Sergeant James Read said the police were asking for the girl to be held in secure custody "considering the violent nature of the incident, and in the public interest".

Judge John Strettell noted the girl did not deny the charge involving serious violence.

"I can't have any confidence that if you are granted bail you will not commit further offences of a violent nature," he told her.

"Because of the seriousness of that concern, and the seriousness of these charges, the remand must be in police custody subject to a daily review."

The girl will return to court tomorrow for the review of whether any secure beds in Social Welfare custody have become available overnight.

- NZPA