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A HIGH COURT JUDGE has dismissed a judicial review claim challenging the decision of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to continue firearms charges against two men who were minors at the time of the alleged offence.

The matter arose from an incident on August 6, 2015, when the claimants – then aged 13 and 11 – were at a property in which an incident occurred resulting in the death of another minor. The claimants, who are half-brothers, were subsequently charged along with an adult co-accused with manslaughter and possession of a firearm.

The manslaughter charges against the claimants were later dismissed by a Master in the Children’s Court. However, the DPP indicated an intention to proceed with the firearms charges, which prompted the judicial review proceedings.