District judges more likely to sentence children to custody

Chris Stanley, a member of the Magistrates' Association youth courts committee, told delegates that district judges do not necessarily trust the information given to them by youth offending teams (YOTs).

"There is some evidence they [district judges] make more custodial sentences," Stanley said. "Some are excellent, others are not so good and their relationship with youth offending teams is not that good. I know the YJB is trying to do something about that."

Stanley, speaking to delegates at the YJB's annual convention in Southport, added that work needs to be done in general to improve relationships between magistrates and YOTs.

"New orders need to be explained and magistrates need to know how successful the orders have been.

"There is nothing nicer than to be able to say well done to a young person. We need to open up the court."