SHUBENACADIE, Nova Scotia — According to the Associated Press, a 15-year-old boy was sentenced to six months in youth jail Wednesday for causing a train to derail in eastern Canada, seriously injuring several people.
The boy, who cannot be identified under Canadian law because of his age, wept as the judge imposed the sentence, and his mother pleaded, “Don’t take my baby, please don’t take my son.”
The youth damaged a directional switch last year on the track near Stewiacke, Nova Scotia, causing a train to leave the track and crash into a store. Dozens of people were injured, some left with permanent disabilities, and the crash caused millions of dollars in damage.
Judge Corrine Sparks also ordered the youth to write letters of apology to all the victims and get counseling.
“He hasn’t demonstrated any atonement for his offense,” she said in the courtroom packed with family members, crash victims and journalists.