Top police officer disgusted at drunk 10-year-old

File Photo

A senior Northland policeman is disgusted after a "blotto" 10-year-old boy was found so drunk his eyes were rolling back in his head.

He vomited in a police car while being taken to a doctor.

Child Youth and Family has been informed after the 10-year-old boy was found drunk and causing disorder on Dargaville's River Rd about 10pm on Friday night.

The boy was apprehended along with three intoxicated males who were allegedly kicking boundary fences and acting in a disorderly manner on the road.

Acting senior sergeant John Fagan said as the festive season approached it was important caregivers kept a vigilant eye on children's access to alcohol to avoid what could be serious or possible fatal situations.

Mr Fagan said he was disgusted that the boy had been allowed to get into that state and excessive alcohol could not be good for a young person's developing body.

A police patrol came across the group, which included the boy, two youths aged 15 and 16 years old and a 22-year-old man in River Rd.

The four had been drinking at one house and were on their way to another when the patrol stopped them because of their disorderly behaviour. Mr Fagan said when stopped they became "pretty obnoxious" to the officers.

He said if the three youngsters had been adults they would have been arrested for disorderly behaviour.

"I'm pretty disgusted to be honest," Mr Fagan said about the intoxicated state of the young boy.

"It (adults supplying youngsters with alcohol) is definitely an issue. But for a 10-year-old to get to that stage is taking it to the next step. It can't be good for a 10-year-old to be blotto like that."

Constable Craig Curnow said while all four offenders were heavily intoxicated he was particularly concerned at the state of the 10-year-old who was so drunk his eyes were rolled back, he was swaying and incoherent.

The group at first denied they had been drinking alcohol but police discovered they had been drinking a pre-mixed bourbon drink of around 8 per cent alcohol.

While police were driving him for medical attention the boy vomited in the patrol car and several times during the examination. He was later deemed fit enough to be taken to a relative's address.

The aunt who was looking after the boy while his mother was out, told police she was unaware he had gone out. She said she had checked the boy only only 30 minutes or so before the patrol car had picked him up. He has been referred to Child Youth and Family Services.

The two youths will be referred to Youth Aid. Police are considering charging the 22-year-old with supplying alcohol to minors.

- Northern Advocate