Mr Le Marquand says offenders need educated in a secure setting

Ian Le Marquand says the Youth Court cannot protect the public from a group of persistent young offenders who know they are untouchable.

The number of cases dealt with in Jersey's Youth Court in 2003 has almost equalled the previous record of 437.

One group of 10 teenagers has been responsible for more than a quarter of the cases.

Continuous rehabilitation

Ian Le Marquand says the system of dealing with offenders under the age of 15 has broken down.

He says all the court can do is remand them in custody until they are sentenced then release them, knowing they will quickly re-offend.

He said because they move between residential centres, children's homes and their own families, they do not receive continuous rehabilitation.

Mr Le Marquand is calling for the courts to be given the power to make orders for young offenders to be educated in a secure setting to protect the public and, hopefully, change the youths' behaviour.