A 14-year-old boy charged with the arson of the derelict historic building Antonio Hall in Riccarton Road has absconded on bail and is on the run.
Youth Court Judge Jane McMeeken today issued a warrant for his arrest when he failed to turn up for a midday court appearance.
He has been missing for several days.
Judge McMeeken said Christchurch was a small place and it was likely he would be found, but she urged him to contact his youth advocate Siobhan McNulty to arrange another court appearance.
Automatic suppressions apply to Youth Court appearances, including the name of the alleged offender, and Judge McMeeken imposed additional suppressions for today’s hearing.
The submissions by the youth advocate and the police were all suppressed as well as the judge’s discussions with the boy’s mother, who was in court.
The hall was damaged by a fire which began about 5.20pm on Friday July 12, when about 50 firefighters fought the blaze.
It had already deteriorated through years of neglect when the February 2011 earthquake caused structural damage. It was understood there were long term plans to convert the building into a hotel.
When the boy appeared in Youth Court the following Monday, the police did not oppose his release on bail, with conditions, for the two-week remand.
He entered no plea and was remanded to today. In the meantime, a Family Group Conference was to be held to decide how to handle a charge of theft of a cellphone, which he admitted.
He was due to appear in Youth Court about midday today, but Judge McMeeken said there was no appearance and no excuse and an arrest warrant was issued.
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