KEY POINTS:
Bail curfew conditions have been relaxed to allow a 17-year-old schoolboy charged over a series of dairy robberies to attend church with his parents.
The youth faces two charges of robbery and two of attempted robbery. Police say he was armed with an imitation pistol when the offences occurred.
When he made his first appearance in the Christchurch District Court last week, he was granted bail on condition that he had to be either at school or at home with his parents.
Defence counsel David Bunce today asked Judge Tony Couch to relax the condition to allow the youth to attend church on Sunday morning.
Police prosecutor Todd Nicholls said police opposed the application because the youth faced serious charges and it must increase the risk.
But Judge Crouch said: "I would be extremely reluctant to prevent a young person attending church, particularly in the company of his parents."
The parents were in court and at first asked for the youth to be allowed to be with them all day on Sunday to attend a service, then Sunday school, and later meetings.
But the judge said he would allow him out with them only long enough to attend a 9am service. He will be allowed to leave home at 8.30am on Sundays, and return by 10.30am.
Interim name suppression was continued.
Judge Crouch remanded him to a pre-depositions conference on November 29.
He is soon to begin sitting bursary examinations.
- NZPA
