The public would be surprised to learn of the tragic cases before the Island's juvenile court system, a magistrate claims.

Magistrate Carlisle Greaves called an admission by a 15-year-old boy that he had been smoking cannabis since he was 12 "shocking'' and suggested the public should be moved to fight the problem.

The claim came minutes after Mr. Greaves lifted a ban on media presence in his courtroom.

He added: "This is interesting. I like to keep the press out. But sometimes it helps us to identify the problems that we have in society. Maybe we can finally admit that we have some serious problems in society.'' The boy pleaded guilty to attempting to break and enter a house and entering another house and stealing a small amount of money to buy cannabis.

The offences are believed to have occurred in March in neighbourhood homes.

His mother said he had recently settled down at home and in school, but placed the blame for his actions on his friends.

During the hearing the boy admitted he had smoked cannabis as recently as last week with a group of between 15 to 20 youths, all older than himself.

The boy said he sometimes paid for the drug and sometimes it was given to him.

He blamed it on boredom and having "nothing to do'' but was challenged by his mother.

She told Mr. Greaves: "He's good in cricket, football, and golf. But because his friends don't have any interest in sports, he doesn't.'' Press allowed back into Juvenile Court for stealing and had a nonchalant attitude toward his arrest and charges.

The boy was remanded into a residential care facility for two weeks, when he was ordered to return to court for a review of his case.

Earlier, while explaining his decision, Mr. Greaves said he had looked at all relevant parts of Bermuda law governing media presence in courtrooms and had found no reasons for excluding the press.

"However, I do state for the record there should be no mention of the names or addresses of juveniles,'' he said. "The press seem to know about this better than we do.'' Mr. Greaves added: "Those articles seemed to say I was protecting a certain case which is not true.'' In March, Mr. Greaves' ban on reporters was imposed after both broadcast and print media followed up tips that at least one teen would be charged with the Harrington Sound Primary School arson.

The tips proved to be false and over the next several weeks court staff repeatedly said Mr. Greaves was looking at the Young Offenders Act of 1950 and other acts.

Police have arrested and questioned three 14-year-old boys from Pembroke and Smith's Parish in connection with the February 19 arson.

They were interviewed with their parents and later released on bail.

The insurance claim for the damage to the 50-year-old school has been estimated to approach $1 million.