Teen who helped friend die admits sentence breach

Dillon Gargett was given eight months home detention. Photo / Herald on Sunday

A teenager who admitted assisting a 16-year-old friend to commit suicide has now admitted breaching the sentence handed down by the High Court at Christchurch.

After being given eight months home detention in February, Dillon Frank Gargett has now ended up in custody on remand, The Christchurch Court News website reported today.

The unemployed 17-year-old cut the electronic ankle bracelet off with a pair of scissors and left a suburban Sydenham property without permission on Saturday.

He pleaded guilty to the breach charge at an appearance before Christchurch District Court Judge Brian Callaghan today.

Defence counsel David Ruth said stresses from financial issues and living with his family had led to the breach with only about a month-and-a-half of the sentence to run.

Because no other home detention address has been arranged or approved, Gargett has been remanded in custody while the Community Probation Service makes a report for his next court appearance on September 6.

- NZPA