The Muslim community is applauding a judge’s decision not to send a radicalised teenage boy to prison for a violent attack in Christchurch last July.
Police said he terrified a large number of people, but all details of the attack have been suppressed.
The teenager was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court yesterday to two years’ intensive supervision.
Federation of Islamic Associations president Hazim Arafeh said that was the right thing to do.
“Sending him to prison would deprive him [of] the proper help that he needs.
“He will be receiving some proper Islamic counselling which we believe will help him overcome his radicalisation.”