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A Young Persons Experience Of A Youth Conference

My name is John and I was asked to write this as part of my Youth Conference Plan.

On 23rd March 2007, I was out and about drinking with my girlfriend and a couple of mates.  I had quite a lot of whiskey and when that was done I went for another carryout.  By the time I got the carryout, I was walking through the town and was stopped by the police.  They took the carryout off me and poured the drink out in front of me.  I lost the head, and can’t really remember what I said or what I did… I was drunk… I could barely walk.  I had just fallen out with my girlfriend so I wasn’t in great form. 

The police arrested me, took me to the cells and kept me in there for a couple of hours, probably because I was too intoxicated to be running about.  They let me out but I had to go back to the station the next day to be questioned.  As soon as I went in, I apologised to the Sergeant that I gave cheek to.  The police said they were putting the charge through the prosecution service.

A couple of months later I received a letter saying that I had to attend the Youth Conference Service.  I didn’t know what this was, but was relieved it wasn’t Court!

I came to the Youth Justice Agency and met a coordinator and a police officer.  Both attended my Youth Conference along with my mum.  Mum was raging; she was upset that I was in trouble again.

At the Youth Conference we talked about the situation and came up with a plan that suited me as I am now in full time employment working throughout Northern Ireland.  Beforehand I was worried because I didn’t know what I was going into to but from the whole experience I have learnt that I need to handle alcohol better. 

I am now 18 and know not to drink as much and I know when my limit is.  My behaviour towards the police was inappropriate and it will never happen again.  Since the Youth Conference I have not come to police or court attention and think that the Youth Conference has taught me a lesson.  I don’t intend to go through any of this again.