I hope he doesn’t blow his chance

The Herald reports:

He pulled the trigger five times in a daylight gang shooting in Rotorua and was responsible for a string of car break-ins and had ridden dangerously on a trail bike.

But he isn’t going jail. And his identity will permanently be kept secret.

That’s because the now 19-year-old has had one of the worst childhoods a Rotorua District Court judge says he has ever seen.

The teen is now turning his back on gangs and crime and striving for a better life, despite his challenges, the judge said.

I’m generally sceptical of name suppression and not going to jail for violent offences. Too often offenders with a long strong of convictions are allowed to keep offending. But in this case, I think the judge is right to see if he can overcome his childhood.

Judge Hollister-Jones said the teen connected with wider family members while living out of town on electronically monitored bail the first time.

“They gave you a birthday party which I interpreted to be your first birthday party thrown for you, which tells a lot.”

He described some of the issues the teen had experienced growing up, many of which could not be publicly reported to protect his identity.

His mother became pregnant with him to a gang member when she was 13. She went on to have a relationship with another gang member and the teen’s life was immersed in gang culture where they often witnessed violence.

His siblings ended up in state care.

Being born to a 13 year old mum and gang member dad almost dooms him from the beginning. But if his extended family can show him a better way, then it is worth the second chance.