What readers said about young boy locked in police car

MIXED reactions have followed news of an investigation into why an eight-year-old Coraki boy was allegedly locked in the back of a police wagon for three hours.

Eight year old Mundhra Williams of Coraki was left in the back of a paddy wagon for three hours on Wednesday. Picture: Cathy Adams

MIXED reactions have followed the news of an investigation into why an eight-year-old Coraki boy was allegedly locked in the back of a police paddy wagon for three hours.

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Mundhra Williams and his relatives were cautioned by police about allegedly throwing rocks and eggs at a car at the Coraki Sewerage Treatment Plant on Wednesday.

When the ordeal was over, Mundhra told his mother, Jane Williams, he had struggled for breath but "found a little hole at the bottom of where you sit in the paddy wagon and felt the cool breeze through there."

"He had to lay his head on the ground, on the dirt, just to feel that little bit of cool breeze," Ms Williams said.

The response from Northern Star readers on Facebook was rapid and polarised.

"If he caused an accident and someone died from his rock throwing, would three hours be enough?" Michael Scantleton posted

"A more responsible punishment would be to have taken the boy into the station until his mother could be contacted," Sonji Ji wrote.

"I don't care what he did,there is no excuse for leaving a child alone in a car for three hours."

Leanne Broadley condemned the alleged incident.

"Three hours locked in a parked police wagon is not acceptable," she posted.

"If this was a car park the parents would be charged."

Emily Jane questioned the level of supervision of an eight-year-old.

"If parents provided proper care, support and discipline, children wouldn't have to be detained for throwing rocks at cars."

Terri Hall was outraged.

"I am DISGUSTED that a young child was ever in the back of a paddy wagon NO MATTER WHAT," she posted.

But Sarah Clark agreed with the 'disciplinary method'.

"If it was my child I would have said leave them there till they have learned a lesson."

Police have confirmed an investigation is underway into the incident.