One of two brothers convicted over the videotaped assault of a student has failed to appear for sentence for the second time in just over a week.
The 16-year-old was to have been sentenced in Hastings Youth Court today but did not appear when called.
His counsel, Roger
Philip, said he could not explain the youth's absence, although the defendant had moved to Auckland to do a pre-apprenticeship course.
The assault on March 30 at a Hastings park was watched by about 30 young people who had been alerted by text messages.
One youth videoptaped the attack, added a rap music soundtrack and posted it on the YouTube internet site, where it was viewed more than 100 times before being taken off when it was drawn to the notice of police.
Last Monday the youth also did not appear and Mr Philip had sought an adjournment until today so a social worker's report on sentencing options could be completed.
A Child Youth and Family (CYF) spokesman told the court that the youth had "not been very co-operative" and the service was having difficulty contacting him in Auckland.
Judge Ian Thomas remanded the defendant again until August 8, saying he wanted to know by the end of the day "what his excuse is" for not appearing.
Mr Philip later told the court he spoken to the youth's mother who gave an assurance he would be present on August 8.
The defendant's younger brother, 14, will also appear for sentence on August 8. He is no longer at his former high school, where the victim was also a pupil, and efforts are being made to find an alternative school.
- NZPA
