5 Mar 2012

8-year-old found driving in central Wellington

7:10 pm on 5 March 2012

Police may yet charge the parents of an eight-year-old boy caught driving a car in central Wellington.

Officers were called about 5am on Monday after the SUV was seen being driven erratically on The Terrace, clipping parked vehicles.

A man managed to stop the car outside the Novotel Hotel where the boy, still in his pyjamas, said he had driven the car from his parents' home about 1km away.

Inspector Paris Razos says although the boy is too young to be charged, it is possible his parents could be.

"We will explore all options. At this stage, the only thing we know is that the boy is not criminally liable.

"I don't think punitive measures are in order until and unless we determine that that's appropriate once we have all the information available."

Mr Razos says the boy's parents would be liable for any damage to other vehicles and they were as shocked and surprised as police were.