Just an update on the story concerning the young aborigine boy mentioned in the previous post. It seems that good sense has prevailed. The West Australian Police Commissioner, Karl O'Callaghan stepped in and requested the charges be dropped. The young lad was awarded $1000.00 costs.
Mr O'Callaghan stated that though the charges were "technically correct", the matter should have been handled by the juvenile justice team.
The Northam Police in defending themselves claimed the boy had come to their notice on several occasions without being charged.
WA Aboriginal Legal Service chief lawyer Peter Collins, stated that the charges were scandalous and that the charges would not have been brought had the boy come from a middle class non-aborigine family.
I am pleased that the charges were dropped, however I think that by awarding costs the wrong message was sent. The outcome would have been totally acceptable have the charges been dropped and left at that.
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11 years ago
