Judge tells 14-year-old girl that she was not going into custody because of her age

A judge at Derry Magistrates' Court told a 14-year-old girl that she was not going into custody simply because of her age.

The girl, who cannot be named due to her age, was charged with assaulting a member of staff at a children's home on July 30.

A police officer connected the accused to the charges and objected to bail. 

The officer told the court that this was the second breach as the defendant had been in court on Monday of this week for breaching bail. 

The court heard that police went to the children's home after a report of an assault on a staff member.

The defendant had arrived at the home accompanied by her parents and started verbally abusing the staff member. 

The staff member moved away and the girl ran after her shouting and then threw a soft drink container at her striking her on the back.

The defendant then left the children's home and was later arrested at her father's address. 

District Judge Ted Magill said that the court had to be 'satisfied ' the defendant presented a 'serious risk of serious harm to the public'.

The judge said this was 'an overwhelming necessity' that the court had to take into account. 

He released the girl on bail but told her if she continued with her behaviour she would end up in custody. 

The girl will appear again on August 5.