Children in stolen car referred to Youth Aid

A witness said the car could have been travelling as fast as 135km/h before it crashed just off State Highway 1 at Ohinewai. Photo / Supplied

Three children injured when the stolen car they were fleeing police in crashed will be referred to Youth Aid.

A 12-year-old girl allegedly stole a car in West Auckland last Wednesday. Two days later she allegedly drove the car 90km south and crashed it while speeding away from police near Huntly.

A witness said the car could have been travelling as fast as 135km/h before it crashed just off State Highway 1 at Ohinewai.

The 12-year-old driver had a 10-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl in the car with her.
The children were injured and taken to Waikato Hospital.

The owner of the car Harry Gosselman has been told by police that the children have all been discharged and were recovering well.

He went to see the vehicle yesterday but was told it could not be released back to him as the Serious Crash Unit were still investigating.

"I removed personal stuff, or what was left of it. The people that stole it, their bags were still in the car," he told the Herald today.

"They [police] told me a 12-year-old girl was driving. The cops say she is the one that stole the car too."

Police told Mr Gosselman that the three children had been referred to Youth Aid.

"They are supposed to be calling me in the next little while about it," he said.

"I'd like to sit down with them and put the fear of God into them. I am waiting to hear back as to what I can do."

YOUTH AID:

In New Zealand, criminal proceedings should not be instituted against a child or youth if there is an alternative way of dealing with the matter. This means that most child and youth apprehensions are dealt with by warning, caution or police alternative action, known as Youth Aid.

Youth Aid officers develop action plans for the offender which could include informal community work, counselling, agreements to pay reparation, apology letters, maintenance of school attendance, or completion of an assignment about the effects of their offending. Families and victims are often involved in the development of alternative action plans.