Teen, 14, charged over boy's bashing

Bashing victim Azaleas Quenton, 12, from Hastings, with his mum Cherie Irving. Photo / Paul Taylor

The mother of a 12-year-old Hastings boy seriously bashed by five teenagers on his way home from school was, "relieved" to hear someone was being held accountable.

During a phone call from police last Friday, Cherie Irving was told a 14-year-old boy had been charged for his alleged part in assaulting her son Azaleas Quenton, as he walked through Akina Park.

The 14-year-old appeared in Hastings Youth Court last week on a charge of injuring with intent to injure. He was bailed and will appear again this month.

"The police officer also told me they would put forward names of other kids," Ms Irving told Hawke's Bay Today.

"They are going to be more accountable ..."

Police were continuing inquiries into the bashing, and expected to make more arrests.

"What they said is, it's a slow process ... they have got to get enough evidence to show it was those kids that did it."

While Hawke's Bay Today was not allowed to report on charges before the Youth Court, Ms Irving hoped the 14-year-old, who was known to Azaleas, would get what the judge deemed to be a suitable punishment.

"They are too young to go to jail but I want them to understand what they have done, how one stupid action has a domino effect, it's not just Azaleas, it's me, it's his family, and a whole lot of other people ..."

She also wanted to meet with the alleged assailants and get an apology for her son, who had been traumatised by the unprovoked incident. Azaleas went back to school on Monday and was settling in well with the full support of Hastings Intermediate and his class.

"The school and police got involved to put on a get-together at the pool so his classmates could welcome him back. The Intermediate has been so supportive, that's why he's so happy to be at school."

Azaleas was no longer frightened and asked if he could walk to and from school, but it would be a while before Ms Irving would allow it.