School tip-off leads to arrest

Chris Currie

A schoolboy charged with the murder of Christopher Currie, who died when a concrete slab was thrown through the windscreen of the car he was driving, could face further serious charges.

Yesterday, as friends and family prepared to bury the 20-year-old from Taupo, a 14-year-old Auckland student appeared in the Youth Court at Manukau charged with murder.

The police officer leading the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Grimstone, said other charges could follow.

There is a new charge under the Crimes Amendment Act of endangering transport, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years' jail.

Mr Grimstone said the boy, who cannot be named because of his age, had two associates of a similar age with him at the time of the alleged murder but a decision had not been made on whether they would also face charges.

He said the Otahuhu schoolboy was arrested late on Monday following police inquiries and information received from a school.

Standing in the dock yesterday morning - wearing regulation police white overalls - the boy showed no emotion. He was tall, sported a wild mop of hair and looked older than his 14 years.

Several family members were in court, including two women who comforted each other with a hug at the end of the brief appearance.

The boy entered no plea and was remanded in the secure care of Child, Youth and Family until September 13 by Judge David Harvey.

The judge told reporters before the boy's appearance that the law did not permit his identification. Media representatives were frisked with electronic metal detectors as part of a high security presence at the court.

Mr Currie was driving to Auckland on Friday when an 8kg piece of concrete was thrown from an Otahuhu overbridge on the Southern Motorway, hurtling through the windscreen of a 1993 Honda Civic and killing him instantly.

Mr Grimstone said the arrest followed information from a school and a "logical track back to this person". He would not name the school.

Police visited South Auckland schools on Monday to enlist the help of students to find the killer.

Mr Grimstone said widespread pressure and interest in the case had contributed to the arrest.

"The interest has been huge and even of last night we received a call from a man who put up a $10,000 reward off his own bat to assist in a case such as this." It was declined.

He said he had spoken to Chris' father, Wayne Currie, who was very relieved and grateful for the efforts everyone had put in.

Chris Currie's distressed family did not want to comment on the arrest or the murder charge. Police told them yesterday morning about the outcome of the investigation into his death.

Mark Vincent, Chris's uncle who employed him as an apprentice builder, said the news raised "another set of emotions" for grieving family and friends still coming to grips with their loss.

They wanted to concentrate on their last day with the 20-year-old, who is at his mother's Taupo home before today's funeral. Six of the detectives who worked on the homicide inquiry will attend.

Mr Grimstone said they would be able to answer any questions the family have about the boy charged and what he is like, "so that will be good closure for them".

In the past few years at least four other 14-year-olds have faced murder charges.

In serious cases such as murder the young person makes his first appearance in the Youth Court but any trial or sentencing occurs in the High Court.

The youngest person to be charged with murder in New Zealand is Bailey Kurariki, who was 12 when he helped kill pizza delivery worker Michael Choy in Auckland.