Boy '˜flouted bail conditions' by going to the circus

He absconded from his mother’s home and had an electronic monitoring tag removed, a judge was told.

The child, who cannot be identified, faces charges of disorderly behaviour and attempted criminal damage to a house in Warrenpoint.

Prosecution barrister Kate McKay alleged he was among six youths involved in the incident on March 31.

She said the group were shouting abuse at the property while a man with learning difficulties was inside.

The alleged victim knows the boy and saw him throwing stones at the window.

Mrs McKay continued: “There was then a banging on the door, the injured party answered and (the defendant) was on the path making rude gestures and asking for a fight.”

She claimed the victim chased the youths and managed to take possession of a pen knife after it had been produced by another member of the group.

The 11-year-old was originally released from custody after admitting both charges, according to the prosecution.

But it was claimed that he has since defied conditions.

“He absconded and I understand the electronic tag was removed at some stage,” Mrs McKay contended.

Defence counsel Conor Byrne argued that the child’s mother had informed police every time he left home.

“For example, he indicated that he had gone to visit the circus,” the barrister said.

With the prosecution accepting bail should be granted again, he warned the child it was a “final chance”.

The judge imposed a curfew, tagging and a ban on contact with the other youths.