Shocked reaction to 12-year-old boy being charged with Big Barrel robbery

A 12-year-old boy is the latest to be arrested in the aggravated robbery of The Big Barrel in Hastings. Photo / File

A 12-year-old boy was among four people who appeared in court charged with a bottle store robbery in which a shop assistant was stabbed several times in Hastings on Monday night.

Appearing before Justice of the Peace in Hastings District Court today , all four were charged with robbing a Big Barrel worker of cash, cigarettes and alcohol, while armed with a knife, an iron bar and a wheel brace.

They were remanded without pleas to appear in either the District Court or the Youth Court on September 13.

Osmond Franks Keenan, 18, of Flaxmere, appearing in court dressed in a police issue disposable boilersuit, was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Singh with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years' jail. He was remanded in custody.

A 17-year-old Flaxmere youth was granted interim name suppression and bail, a 15-year-old Napier girl has automatic name suppression in the Youth Court and was granted bail, and the 12-year-old, of Flaxmere, is being placed in care by Oranga Tamariki.

Liquor store group owner-operator and managing director Palwinder Singh was left speechless when hearing of the latest arrest.

"That is shocking. Is that where the youth is going? I'm so shocked," he said.

"I've been in touch with our staff member who was attacked and I'm so relieved that he's making a strong recovery, he's in good spirits which is very pleasing.

Jaspreet Singh, 21, was stabbed at least seven times in an attack police have called "chilling", "callous" and "vicious".

Palwinder Singh said: "I've been in retail for the last 20 years and I've never seen anything like that.:

Singh commended police for their work in making four arrests in such a short period of time.

"We are very grateful. I'm so appreciative of the police and these arrests send out a very positive message to the community that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated

"From a management point of view, family point of view and a staff point of view, we can't thank police enough."