The youth charged with arson in the June 4 fire in Lower Gibsons will have his arraignment delayed for a fourth time while a probation officer and the Crown determine if the youth is a candidate for alternative justice measures.
The youth, who cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was due in court for an arraignment on Wednesday (Oct. 13), but Crown counsel Trevor Cockfield said an assessment report required for alternative measures for the youth had not yet been completed.
The request for alternative measures, which may include the Restorative Justice program, came from defence counsel when the youth was last in court on Sept. 21.
The assessment report reviews a host of issues to determine if the youth is eligible.
"The probation officer will speak to the accused and the accused has to take responsibility for whatever he did in order to be eligible for the alternative measures program," Cockfield said.
The assessment will also take into consideration the wishes of the complainants and victims, examine the background of the accused and determine what kind of programs might be available in the community.
In order to proceed with alternative measures, Crown must sign off on the plan.
The youth is now due back in Sechelt provincial court on Nov. 2.
The youth was arrested on June 6 after RCMP received a tip from a second youth who was present at the time the fire broke out. RCMP say the two boys were skipping school and hanging out under Coles Marine Diesel at the time.
