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A 15-year-old boy charged with the murder of a North Shore pensioner has been remanded in custody because a judge says he cannot guarantee he could not commit other crimes.
In an emotional appearance at the North Shore Youth Court this morning, the teen, who cannot be named, was remanded to the Youth Residential Centre, Auckland.
Some members of his family who were in court openly cried as he took the dock. The teen was also clearly emotional.
After a closed bail hearing, Judge Laurence Ryan said in a brief statement to the court he had refused bail because he could not be satisfied the boy would not commit other crimes if released.
The appearance comes after police arrested the teen yesterday for the murder of 77-year-old widow Doreen Ree.
Last night, her friends were stunned to learn a boy had been charged yesterday with her murder.
Mrs Reed was found dead in her Eskdale Rd, Birkdale, home on Sunday. She suffered multiple stab wounds which pierced major organs, police said.
The friend who found Mrs Reed was relieved to hear police had made an arrest but shocked to learn the age of the accused.
"A 15-year-old, he's still a boy ... It's horrible, absolutely horrible."
Cheryl Cox, who lived next door to Mrs Reed and helped her after surgery last year, said it was a relief to hear of the arrest, "but so scary because the boy is so young".
Inquiry head Detective Inspector Steve Wood said the police team was satisfied with the early break-through.
He did not rule out further arrests but would not elaborate on whether anyone else was being sought.
