A mother who turned in her 16-year-old son for stealing was given a telling off by a Magistrate after she asked the court to be lenient on him.

The woman, who cannot be named, asked the court to allow her son to return home with her and his stepfather, but suggested counselling be ordered for the teenager.

The Pembroke boy was sent to the Co-Ed facility for two days while the court awaited to hear whether he would be accepted into Residential Treatment Services (RTS).

He had pleaded guilty to damaging the safe at home, and then stealing $110, along with a silver chain and bracelet, and some of his CDs, which his mother had earlier confiscated.

Last Monday, his mother said there was no point in sending the boy home because he was angry and destructive, and she feared he would run away.

She said he needed discipline.

But when the boy was brought back before the court again later in the week, RTS said it could not make a decision until a full psychiatric report had been carried out.

In the packed court room, the mother said: "I don't think remanding him back into Co-Ed facility is going to help him.

"He realises that if he does not follow the strict rules of the court in the household ... (he will be further punished by the court).

"I would like to see him getting the counselling, as well as the family side. We can get back on track - the three of us."

But Acting Senior Magistrate Carlisle Greaves said he would have to disappoint the woman, because the courts were less fickle than parents.

He said it was up to the courts to ensure the right action was taken with regard to her son.

"I don't want to burst your bubble," said the Magistrate. "You are sending him mixed messages. He now realises? How did he realise so quickly? Cool out. Let the thing take its time. He has another 100 years to live.

"This is more than about you. It's about society. The next thing he will be grabbing all of us."

Mr. Greaves remanded the boy in custody at the Co-Ed facility for two weeks while the psychiatric report was carried out.

He is to be brought back to the court on April 23.