Judge Greg Grogin (ON 1976) spoke at our final wellbeing series for the year on the topic ‘Young people and the Law’. 

Judge Grogin has served the College Council for more than 16 years and has been associated with the school for more than 50 years. As a former policeman, police prosecutor and barrister, Greg is well qualified to give advice on the law, and his message to parents was both clear and frightening.  

Now a District Court judge, Greg sees the impact when young people are charged with criminal offences that could have been avoided in many cases. Both they, and their parents, can be devastated.

Alcohol, drugs and driving offences were among the issues explored on the evening. 

The complexities of supplying alcohol to minors in private residences included the issue of ‘responsible supervision’ to keep boys safe. Supplying alcohol to boys who are under legal age without the expressed permission of other boys parents is a minefield legally, especially if the boys become intoxicated and end up breaking the law with a driving or affray offence.  

Drink spiking is an offence and parents were advised to tell their sons to drink only from bottles and cans they open themselves.

Moderation is a key to safety. 

Cases of affray, where boys ‘help out’ friends, never ends well. He reminded us there is no such thing as safety in numbers. Should a fight break out, the issue should be handed straight over to the establishment security. Physical involvement should be avoided at all times. 

Cautions and convictions handed down by the courts are sometimes unpredictable, but they both have significant consequences for the young men involved. They can limit visas to some countries and affect travel options significantly – especially if drugs are involved.

Judge Grogin warned of the dangers of describing drugs as ‘recreational’.  If they are Illegal, they are illegal for good reason. The courts do not make a distinction between ‘party’ or ‘recreational’ drugs and other drugs; they are simply illegal and a conviction will reflect that.  

Boys need to know their rights regarding the law but often they believe that they are beyond the law. Judge Grogin gave an example of a boy from another independent school who was arrested in a bar for being in possession of an illicit drug following a random police raid. Because he had more than one tablet, he was charged with supply, he was convicted, he served time in prison and is unlikely to obtain travel visas or gainful employment in the future. The example was real, not invented for effect, but real and devastating for the young man and his family. 

Advice to parents was clear: supervision and a good knowledge of the law regarding alcohol, drugs and driving are essential. 

He reminded us all of our responsibilities to our children. Love, care and good supervision keep young men out of the courts. Every day, young men are charged with offences that could have been avoided.  

The college is grateful to Judge Grogin for his expertise and his energetic and at times humorous presentation to us all.

Mr Bob Meakin
Deputy Head of Stanmore (Students)