Girl who planned bid to kill father faces jail sentence

A teenage girl who hatched a plan for her father's murder after an argument is facing jail.

The father was attacked in May at his home on the outskirts of Christchurch by two men armed with a spade. He survived, but suffered a broken leg and head injuries.

In the Christchurch Youth Court yesterday, the girl, now aged 17, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and was remanded for sentencing in the district court.

Judge Jane McMeeken said the sentencing options in the Youth Court were inadequate given the seriousness of the attack, which police described as premeditated but which the judge said showed immaturity.

The girl was remanded for sentencing on January 13, when she will face the same range of penalties as an adult.

A charge that she injured her father with intent was withdrawn by the police.

Her alleged co-offenders - Tekoha Samuel Royden Pou, 17, unemployed, and Ryan James Cullen, 18, a baker - are due to face a preliminary hearing on conspiracy to murder and injuring charges this month.

Prosecuting sergeant Jim Read said the attack was "rather premeditated" and police wanted the wider range of penalties on offer in the district court.

Ruth Buddicom, for the girl, said her family were standing by her and her father would be present at the sentencing.

Although the girl wanted to be sentenced in the Youth Court, she and her family were realistic about the chance of that happening because her age meant any sentence in the youth jurisdiction had to end when she reached the age of 17 1/2 next month.

"It was almost an impossibility for it to remain in this forum, with that very short duration. There simply isn't the time available," Ms Buddicom added.

Judge McMeeken said there was "a reasonably detailed plan hatched" to carry out the attack.

"The summary says the plan was originally a joke but got out of control. In any event, this was very serious offending.

"You have no previous convictions and your lawyer describes this offending as having the hallmarks of immaturity and absence of judgment. I agree with that."

However, the seriousness of the attack outweighed the girl's family circumstances, lack of previous convictions and the Youth Court's emphasis on rehabilitation.

Judge McMeeken ordered a new victim-impact report and remanded the girl on bail - with a curfew.

- NZPA