Kiwi criminal allowed to remain

A 19 year-old thug from New Zealand - found guilty of offences in which victims have been scarred for life by having their faces slashed - has been allowed to stay in Australia.

"It is beyond belief that a dangerous New Zealand armed robber cannot be deported," Melbourne newspaper, the Sun Herald reported.

It said the man - who was not named - was a member of a "face-slashing gang" who had only been in Australia since he was 16.

"Immigration authorities made the eminently sensible decision to cancel his visa and send him packing," the newspaper said. But the teenager appealed to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, which has overturned the immigration ruling.

In addition to the 66 crimes on which he has been convicted, the New Zealander has been charged with other serious offences, including recklessly causing serious injury, armed robbery, and possession of a controlled weapon.

He spent 12 months behind bars in an Australian juvenile detention centre.

- NZPA