Mother and son accused of wool break-ins

A 14-year-old boy and his mother are jointly accused of unlawfully entering buildings and stealing $3000 of wool.

The Palmerston North pair appeared in the Youth Court yesterday, each facing 13 charges of theft, receiving stolen wool, and unlawfully entering farm sheds and woolsheds.

The offending is alleged to have happened in the Kimbolton area, 29km north-east of Feilding, senior constable Jill Martin said yesterday.

The thieves are thought to have stolen the wool from a number of farms, then sold it to legitimate wool buyers.

The pair, who cannot be named, entered no plea and were remanded back to the Youth Court on December 8. The mother will continue to appear in Youth Court, as she is jointly charged with a minor.

Police believe about three others were involved. Officers did not oppose bail for the boy's mother, but did for him.

The boy's offending did not fit the legislative criteria for a remand in custody and, as social workers were unable to offer alternative accommodation for the youth, Judge Gregory Ross had no alternative but to bail the child to his mother's care.

The boy must adhere to a 7pm to 7am curfew.

- nzpa