Two 17-year-old Wanaka youths were warned this week had they been adults they would have been sent to prison for their part in a serious assault on two Englishmen in Wanaka last October.
The two 17-year-old males and a 16-year-old male appeared before Judge Kevin Phillips in the Youth Court in Queenstown.
He described their behaviour as "absolutely appalling" and "an attack by a gang".
The victims were temporarily working in Wanaka and were allegedly assaulted by a large group of teenagers in Ardmore St after they left a bar.
Aged 25 and 27, they reportedly received facial and head injuries. One was admitted to hospital and has since returned to England and has received specialist treatment for an eye injury. The other is understood to be travelling around New Zealand.
Three youths were charged and another nine were dealt with by the police youth aid section.
The first 17-year-old appearing on Tuesday admitted one charge of injuring with intent.
"This is appalling behaviour.
This is group violence," Judge Phillips told the youth, represented by Tim Cadogan.
"For you, at your age, to be involved in this attack on these people is of major concern. You need to understand if you had been an adult offender, I would probably have sent you to prison for a year or a year and a-half. I will not tolerate this type of gang violence on people."
He was equally pointed with the second 17-year-old defendant, represented by Dale Lloyd, who appeared on two charges of injuring with intent and assault.
"Listen to me and listen to me good. This was appalling conduct. Violence in a street, an attack by a gang ... It appears you were one of the ringleaders of this attack on these two innocent people. You need to understand if you were an adult you would be going to prison. Not if, but how long," Judge Phillips said.
He warned the youth he had the power to override a family group conference plan if he felt it was inadequate.
"I find your conduct absolutely appalling. You have a long row to hoe before you come out with any form of credit," Judge Phillips said.
The first defendant had attended a family group conference and started paying reparation to his victim and was completing community service, as prescribed by the family group conference.
Judge Phillips said the plan contained "much less" community work than he would have prescribed.
He said the plan promoted the defendent's interests rather than reflecting the distaste of the community for the defendant's behaviour but he reluctantly accepted it.
The youth was remanded on bail until February 28, when the judge expected a monitoring report on his community work and the payment of $302 in reparation.
"There will need to be a very positive report on your attitude and your response to the agreements you have entered into. Overall, you will have to get a gold card report, or I could be adding things to it ... I will have no tolerance towards a lax attitude," Judge Phillips said.
Bail conditions included that the boy live with his parents, a strict curfew, no alcohol or drugs, and not to associate with 11 named teenaged boys.
Mrs Lloyd said the charges for the second defendant were not denied but she was seeking a remand until January 31 so they could be discussed at a family group conference.
Bail was granted until January 31, but came with a strict warning to abide by the conditions.
Youth advocate Russell Checketts, acting for the third defendant, a 16-year-old, said his client intended to defend the charge of injuring with intent.
Mr Checketts said the police had indicated before December 25 an amended charge would be laid, but that had not happened.
Judge Phillips said the youth was entitled to the presumption of innocence in the meantime.
The 16-year-old was remanded on bail, with conditions, until February 14, when Judge Phillips expected the police to confirm the appropriate charge.
