Andrew Dickens Afternoons

One of the more remarkable things happened this week. A Judge actually admitted that he got something wrong and almost apologised.His name is Judge Kevin Phillips and he is a District Court Judge in Dunedin.The whole sorry affair started in May last year.A 16-year-old and his brother were cruising streets of Dunedin looking for a party they had heard about on Facebook and trouble.First, they shook down another 16 year old. They got him to empty his pockets. They punched him in the face knocking him out and taking his phone and wallet.Ten minutes later they spotted five students carrying some booze, beer and cider.  So they too were shaken down. The booze was taken and people were hit. And as they escaped, the offender noticed a woman trying to photograph the car they were in.When this scumball youth appeared in court Judge Phillips granted him electronically monitored bail to his father’s home and orders to receive help and training. Which as it turns out was nearly a fatal mistake.2 months later while at the