Derry Court: 15-year-old youth with 38 previous convictions bailed on assault of another child

Derry Magistrate's Court heard today how a 15-year-old youth with 38 previous convictions had left some residents of a local children's home 'terrified' so they don't leave their rooms when he is present.

The youth who cannot be named due to his age appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with assaulting another resident in the children's home on March 5.

The court heard that police were called to the home after reports of an assault by the 15-year-old on another child. 

Police were told the defendant had grabbed the other resident by the scruff of the neck and slapped him across the face. 

The defendant was arrested and police suspected he was under the influence of alcohol but he refused to give a breath sample. 

At interview he said he had acted in self defence but a member of staff who witnessed the incident said it was 'an unprovoked attack.'

A police officer said the defendant was currently on bail for three other offences. 

Bail was opposed due to the fact there was no suitable address with other residents 'terrified' of him.

A police officer said that the defendant had 'violent tendencies' and police had no confidence he would abide by conditions.

Defence counsel Dean Mooney said his application would be for an address approved by the Western Trust. 

District Judge Barney McElholm said that whoever drafted the legislation covering juveniles 'didn't understand' what they were doing.

He said this defendant needed to be in secure accommodation but the number of secure beds was 'woefully inadequate'.

The judge said that he really had no choice but to release the defendant as he was 'bound by the legislation'.

The youth was bailed to an address approved by the PSNI and will appear again on March 7.