Judge criticises CYF for accommodation shortage

A district court judge has blasted the Child, Youth and Family service for an accommodation shortage that required him to remand a 16-year-old youth back into police custody.

Judge Graeme Noble delivered a serve to the department through CYF employee Andrew Dever-Tod.

Mr Dever-Tod was appearing for the department in Palmerston North Youth Court for a case involving a youth charged with the aggravated robbery of a service station on May 18.

The youth had been in police custody since Monday, and Judge Noble was frustrated that CYF still had not found a bed for him.

"You are in the unfortunate position of being the messenger, and you are currently being shot," Judge Noble told Mr Dever-Tod.

The judge was told the department had 70 beds in three youth facilities nationwide, but all were full.

He wanted to know why sleeping berths were not allocated on the basis of severity of alleged offending.

"The point must be reached in terms of the incumbent bed situation where somebody could be taken off the bottom of the list as it were for a more serious case."

There were very good reasons the youth deserved to be remanded at a secure youth facility ahead of others already there, said Judge Noble.

The youth is alleged to have entered the service station carrying a BB pistol and knife, then stolen $450.

As the hearing continued, the youth appeared to become agitated as it became clear he would not be granted bail. But a look of distress and the welling of tears had no effect on Judge Noble. "Don't whinge too much. You dropped yourself into this," he said.

After remanding the youth into police custody, Judge Noble sought assurance from Mr Dever-Tod that a bed would become available.

- NZPA