Teenagers' gun threat backfires

A 16-year-old high on "P" - pure methamphetamine - followed his 17-year-old mate to the dairy, put a pistol to his friend's head and threatened to pull the trigger if the shopkeeper didn't hand over cash.

The 16-year-old was dealt with through the Youth Court and cannot be named.

He was summoned to a Child, Youth and Family group conference and ordered to pay the dairy owner $500 and write a letter of apology.

His 17-year-old friend and accomplice, Daniel Work, appeared for sentencing in Palmerston North District Court on Wednesday after being found guilty of attempted aggravated robbery.

Judge Gregory Ross said Work demonstrated an "element of game-playing with serious overtones" and sentenced him to 15 months in jail.

He denied leave to apply for home detention.

Work's lawyer, Duncan Harvey, said the 16-year-old's sentence was "a remarkable result for the young person ... the court needs to be mindful of the fact that when dealing with [Work] there needs to be some parity."

Police told the court the two youths were at Work's home on the afternoon of August 8 smoking P.

Work went to a dairy and ordered a $2 bag of lollies. As he was paying for them, the 16-year-old came in with an air-pistol and put it to Work's head. But when the shopkeeper did not respond to the threats, Work fled.

The 16-year-old leaped across the counter and tried without success to open the till before also fleeing.

Crown prosecutor Charlotte Patterson suggested three years in prison for Work, who she said was the ringleader and had influenced the 16-year-old. Mr Harvey said a term of about nine months would be appropriate.

- NZPA