YOUTHS ON MANY CHARGES

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 243, 26 July 1947, Page 4

YOUTHS ON MANY CHARGES

CONVERSION OF CARS, THEFT AND MISCHIEF (P.A.) NAPIER, July 25, “This appears perhaps to he the worst case of the kind we have had iH this town.” said the Magistrate (Mr J. Miller) in the Children’s Court when seven youths appeared on charges em-> bracing the conversion of cars, motor-cycles and bicycles, theft and mischief. Described as the ringleader,, one boy was sent to a Borstal institution and two 1 others named as deputy leaders were sent to the boys’ training centre at Levin. The others were placed under the supervision of the Child Welfare Department. The ages of accused ranged from 14 to 17. The ringleader faced 33 charges, two others ■ll charges, a fourth five charges, a fifth four charges and two others one charge, each. The total value of the motor vehicles appropriated was £22,865 and damage totalling £52 was caused to the vehicles. Bicycles taken wore valued at £39, and property involved in a series of thefts was valued at £IBS.

The magistrate said that the offence's committed by the leaders of the gang had been carried out with ruthlessness and cunning, and with utter disregard for the law. In his opinion over-much latitude by the parents had contributed to the incidence of child delinquency. “Through-gang influence, decent ,boys brought up in good homes became contaminated by their associates, succumbing to temptation and entering crime without their parents knowing anything about it,” said Mr Miller.