Edlington attack prompts youth court probe

Youth courts are to come under scrutiny in an inquiry prompted by cases such as the so-called Edlington attack in South Yorkshire that saw two boys torture and sexually humiliate two other youngsters.
Edlington Recreation ground where the two brothers started their brutal attack on two boysEdlington Recreation ground where the two brothers started their brutal attack on two boys
Edlington Recreation ground where the two brothers started their brutal attack on two boys

The brutal assault on an 11-year-old and a nine-year-old by two brothers, aged 10 and 11, in Edlington near Doncaster, in 2009, raised concerns about the approach to children in trouble by some youth courts.

A fresh Parliamentary inquiry into the operation and effectiveness of the youth courts system has been launched today under the chairmanship of Lord Carlile QC.

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The inquiry, co-ordinated by the National Children’s Bureau, will draw on evidence from youth justice and legal experts as well as the experiences of children and young people themselves.

Lord Carlile said: “This inquiry goes to the heart of the Youth Justice system in England and Wales. It will examine the effectiveness of the youth court system, in particular its wider role in preventing youth crime. We want to see an improved youth court that better addresses youth offending, and delivers a better deal for victims and wider society.”

The probe is to consider whether youth courts are succeeding in preventing youth offending given the high re-offending rates for convicted under-18s, particularly for those leaving custody of whom seven in 10 are re-convicted within one year.

Enver Solomon, director of evidence and impact at the National Children’s Bureau, said: “We welcome the work of this inquiry and hope it will provide fresh impetus for improving how the youth court system works.

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“Given the significant number of children and young people that appear before the courts with complex welfare needs, it is imperative that decisions take account of their life circumstances and how best to ensure they are supported to stop offending.”