KEY POINTS:
The mother of a boy whose father was killed in a crash in Dome Valley last year says she has to face each day explaining the death to her son.
Leanne Clark, the former girlfriend of Frederick Te Aparua Murphy, one of two people killed in the head-on smash in October, has joined the chorus of calls for an overhaul of the youth justice system.
This follows the nine-month supervision sentence imposed in the North Shore District Court on Wednesday on the 16-year-old driver of a stolen Mercedes that crashed into another vehicle on State Highway 1 at Dome Valley, just north of Warkworth.
"I have to explain to our 4-year-old son why he can't see his Daddy any more and why his Daddy does not come to see him any more," said Ms Clark.
The 36-year-old from Whangarei agreed with calls from crash survivor Karen McGregor-Dawson, who suffered a broken thigh bone, collarbone and wrist in the accident, for tougher youth sentences.
The youth was sentenced on two charges of dangerous driving causing death, two of dangerous driving causing injury and a raft of other crimes, including burglary, theft and other motor vehicle charges.
The charges add to an already extensive rap sheet for the youth, who by last May had 43 convictions.
He will spend three months in a supervised residence and six months being supervised after that - a sentence Ms Clark says will do little to deter other youths from crime.
"It's a real slap in the face for everyone and I think they really need to have harsher sentences for youths, especially the ones who have a long list like his," she said. "Obviously the system is failing. It's failed him and it's definitely failed the public. He just keeps on doing it.
"If children are given adult responsibilities like driving cars, then they should be charged as adults if things go wrong."
New Zealand First law and order spokesman Ron Mark said the sentencing highlighted the inadequacy of the youth justice system.
He said it sent the message to young offenders that there were no serious consequences for injuring or even killing people.
"Longer and tougher sentencing is a crucial step in reducing violent offending among youths."
Ms Clark said she did not attend the youth's sentencing because she was "afraid of doing or saying something I might regret". Neither she nor the family of Mr Murphy had had an apology from the youth.
Her son Caleb was still traumatised by the accident and was often frightened of travelling in cars.
"I'm trying to answer all his questions the best I can ... but nothing will make it better.
"He's still going to be without his father for the rest of his life."
