A 15-year-old boy who has turned his life around said to Magistrate Chin yesterday “it was you saying next time bring my toothbrush” that made the difference.

The young man was up for a probation review in Juvenile Court.

The court heard that the young man has been free from drugs, has been keeping to his curfew and is doing very well in school.

When Mr. Chin asked about the change in him, he said: “I have changed all my friends and although they have never been in trouble, I got into trouble with them.”

The defendant said: “I am very good at maths, I come home every evening and get my homework done. I became an electricians apprentice for the summer which allowed me to save enough money to go with my brother when he returned to University.”

Mr. Chin asked if he wanted to go to the same university and what did he like about it and he said: “The people were really friendly.”

Mr. Chin said: “You must get out of this little Bermuda and open up your mind, but you have to get the grades to go.”

Mr. Chin asked him about his summer job and asked if it was something that he would like to do as a career, but the boy said no. Mr. Chin said: “That's the thing about summer jobs, you learn what you don't want to do.”

Mr. Chin said there was no need for a further review at this time.