A Poole youngster’s hard work to
repay the owners of two vehicles he damaged has led to one of them
offering him a part-time job.
The 15-year-old boy took part in a
restorative justice conference where it was agreed that he would
undertake unpaid work in the victims’ gardens at weekends until
they felt that he had made up for the damage.
One of the victims was so impressed with
the boy’s work that he offered him a weekend job carrying out
landscape gardening work.
The victim, a Poole man, said: “I felt
that the meeting went well. The lad honoured his side of the
arrangement and I was satisfied with his work. I’m pleased to have
him working for me.”
The vehicles were damaged in Johnston
Road, Poole, in April last year. The offender was located and
arrested in a nearby road and he pleaded guilty to the crimes. As
it was his first offence it was decided that a restorative justice
conference would be the best option.
The conference was held at Poole Police
Station and was attended by the young person, his parents, the two
victims and a restorative justice facilitator from Dorset
Police.
Restorative justice conferences give
offenders of certain low-level crimes the opportunity to face their
victims and make amends without receiving a criminal record. They
are offered to young people, up to the age of 17, who have pleaded
guilty.
The victim is also given the chance to
tell the offender how the crime has affected them and have a say in
the offender’s punishment.
PCSO (Police Community Support Officer)
Stuart Mabbutt, of the Poole Town and Oakdale Safer Neighbourhood
Team, said: “The outcome of this conference has been positive for
everyone involved. The victims were given a say in the process and
were ultimately satisfied with the offender’s hard work. The boy
was able to face up to the consequences of his actions and learn a
valuable lesson at the same time.”
To find out more about your local
Safer Neighbourhood Team call Dorset Police on 01202 222222 or
01305 222222, or visit www.dorset.police.uk