Rotorua teens discharged over jetski death

Seventeen-year-old Bishop Thompson was fatally injured in a fall from a jetski he was riding on Lake Okareka in January. Photo / supplied

Two teenagers charged over the death of their mate in a January jetski accident have escaped penalty after an emotionally-charged court hearing in Rotorua today.

Judge Phillip Cooper this afternoon convicted and discharged Ricardo Maaka and Teimana Harrison to, both 18, after the pair earlier pleaded guilty to charges of driving a craft in a manner likely to cause unnecessary danger to a person or property.

The charges were laid after their close friend, 17-year-old Bishop Thompson, was fatally injured in a fall from one of the jetskis they were riding on Lake Okareka on January 8.

Bishop was not wearing a lifejacket and was recovered from the lake by police and navy dive teams five days after the accident.

The boys have been undergoing a Restorative Justice programme with the family of Thompson and have also made a DVD in which they discuss the tragedy and talk about ways to prevent accidents on the water.

In Rotorua District Court this afternoon, Judge Cooper told the pair:he had no doubt they had accepted responsibility for the tragedy, but chose not to discharge them without conviction as their lawyers requested.

Dressed in red and black school ties and blazers, the boys were supported in court by Bishop's mother and grandmother, as well as Rotorua Boys' High principal Chris Grinter.

Members of Bishop's family, who gave tearful submissions to the court today, have repeatedly told media they never wanted the matter to go court.

Family spokesperson Mana Witoko told the Herald after the sentencing that the families of all three boys could now properly start the grieving process.

- NZ HERALD STAFF