Remanded youth warned to take bail conditions seriously

The youth charged in connection with teenagers allegedly being ''branded'' using a heated cigarette lighter was warned yesterday he risked being remanded in custody if he breached his bail conditions.

Daniel Trevor Nelson (17), unemployed, of Clyde, failed to appear in the Alexandra District Court on Wednesday to face two charges of injuring people with reckless disregard for the safety of others. He was arrested later that day and held in custody overnight, appearing in court yesterday before Judge Stephen O'Driscoll. Justine Baird was duty solicitor and said Nelson got the date of his court appearance wrong.

''He was picked up at home so it wasn't a matter of him trying to abscond.''

Prosecutor Sergeant Ian Collin said police had serious concerns whether Nelson would abide by his bail conditions because of the ''attitude'' he had displayed.

When the defendant was interviewed by police about the offences, he ''made it clear'' he would not abide by his bail conditions, Sgt Collin said.

''When he was returned home by police, he screwed up the police bail bond and threw it in the gutter.''

Then Nelson failed to appear in court on Wednesday. The bail conditions would be closely monitored by police, he said.

Miss Baird said Nelson had work lined up, starting within the next week.

''The best thing for this defendant is when he is working,'' she said.

Nelson was remanded without plea to appear on January 16, with bail conditions including a curfew from 7pm to 4.30am so he could travel to work at 5am, that he have no contact with any of the complainants, and not consume alcohol or drugs.

Judge O'Driscoll said if he breached bail conditions or there was any suggestion of reoffending , he risked being remanded in custody.