Charges of damaging the Sanctuary Point Day Care Centre against a 16-year-old girl have been dismissed after a youth justice conference.
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In Campbelltown Children’s Court, Magistrate Debra Maher dismissed two charges of damaging property, two counts of entering enclosed lands and two counts of intentionally marking premises against the Sanctuary Point teenager.
Along with a 14-year-old Sanctuary Point boy, she was charged with causing almost $10,000 damage to the pre-school.
Police alleged the pair targeted the centre over two nights on June 27-28, throwing chairs and tables around the playground, a boat used as a play area was overturned, a number of established trees were damaged, a sun shade sail area was slashed, a quantity of books destroyed and security lights smashed.
They also allegedly used black marker pens to write graffiti, containing expletives towards the centre staff and police.
The court was told the juveniles allegedly climbed onto the roof of a nearby property to gain access over the centre’s security fence and into a secured yard area.
The boy is due to face Nowra Children's Court on December 20.
Youth justice conferences bring young offenders, their families and supporters face-to-face with victims, their supporters and police to discuss the crime and how people have been affected.
Police and courts refer young people for youth justice conferences when they have committed eligible offences that are too serious for warnings or cautions, or they have exceeded the maximum number of cautions available to them.
Among a host of functions the conferences are used to hold young people accountable and assist them to take responsibility for their behaviour. They also enhance the rights and place of victims in the juvenile justice process.
