Suicide accomplice says sorry

Bradford Park, Sydenham. Photo / Christchurch Star

A teenager convicted of helping a friend take his own life says he is sorry for what he has done.

The 17-year-old, who has name suppression, pleaded guilty to the rare charge of assisting suicide after the body of a 16-year-old was found at a Christchurch park in September.

He is in custody and faces up to 14 years in prison when sentenced in the Christchurch District Court next month.

His parents, who cannot be named because it would identify their son, said he told them soon after his arrest he hadn't done anything wrong because the 16-year-old "wanted to die".

But after "time to think" behind bars, he wrote to them saying he was "sorry for all the heartache and pain he had caused, to everybody".

His mother said the letter was a "huge step" for her son, who usually blamed others for his situation.

She thought he was starting to "get it", but would have to see him before she could be sure. "In my heart I know he is changing," she said.

She and her husband felt "extremely sorry" for the family of the dead teenager, who had been searching for their son in the days before his death.

"I would like to give my commiserations to his father," the 17-year-old's father said. "It's very sad. It's a great waste of life.

"We are going through just as much hell. Well, not quite as much, we still have our boy, but it's affected us," he said.

"No parent should have to go through what they are going through," his mother added.

The 17-year-old's parents said their son had caused problems for years. He was kind, generous and helpful when in a good mood, but had an anger problem and could lash out or become abusive.

As a schoolboy, he had learning disabilities and no respect for female teachers.

"He had a lot of problems at school ... with bullying," said his mother. "He's always been a sheep. Someone would tell him to thump someone and he would do it."

The teenager spent time in social welfare care when his parents could not deal with him, and got "mixed up" with other youth offenders.

He also spent time on the streets. His parents said he showed signs of improvement after three months at a youth justice residential centre, but things went downhill again after he got out.

His father said he hoped his son would get a light jail sentence - "to find out where he is going. I hope it has a good effect on him. It will teach him there is a price to be paid. He does have to be held accountable," he said.

The teenager had known the 16-year-old only a few days before his death. The police summary of facts outlines that others also knew the 16-year-old wished to take his own life, and that some unsuccessfully tried to help at different times.

Three other youths went to the park on the night of the 16-year-old's death. The 17-year-old's parents questioned why police had not charged anyone else. Detective Senior Sergeant John Rae said their level of involvement did not warrant criminal charges.

The 17-year-old's father said everyone who knew what was happening in the lead-up to his son's death should be held accountable.

"They should front up to the [dead] boy's father and look in him the eye and say, 'We were stupid, we are sorry'," he said.