BOY HIGHWAYMAN.

Auckland Star, Volume XLV, Issue 182, 1 August 1914, Page 17

BOY HIGHWAYMAN.

STOP «*nf TTT -' nTI ' lgw IN BTBBBT AND BTBAIi THEIB MONHT. PICTCBB HAUi VISITS. Four toy* were charted tt Dublin on June 17th -with robbing cMidren. They were 'William Murphy, thirteen; Robert Lees, thirteen; Joseph Doyle, ftuiilfgn; and William Bocliffe, fourteen. There were flre distinct charge* against Stnxphy and three 'against each of the others. The evidence clven was to the etect that Murphy and Lees saw a little boy coming out of a pawn-office in Towcsend Street carrying a trousers and vest, which lie was taking home. Murphy went u> to the little boy, and told him that the pawnbroker had made a dlstake, and wanted the clothes back. The child, believing him, gave him the coat and Test, which were pawned a little later by Lees for -3/. On June 15th they law Vary Doyl& a little girl, coming oat eft public-house in Townscnd Street. When «lie had proceeded down the street a little way Murphy went up to her and said that he had been sent aftqr her by the publican, ac there had been a mistake made in the change by Uie assistant. The child handed him 2/B, which he divided eubseqncntly with Lees, who was with him at the time. On another occasion Murphy, who was accompanied by Lees, snatched 1/G from May Orr, aged ten, in Great Brunswick Street, while just before that Murphy, who was accompanied by Joseph Doyle, having watctJed the movement of a little girl named Macinerney In South Great George's Street, went up to her and said that the assistant in the Penny Bazaar had given her the wrong money change. The child then handed him about 2/6, which she had in her hand. Murphy and Rocliffe met May Cavanagh. aged eleven. In Foley Street, on another occasion, and asked her for the change of a half-sovereign. When the child had counted out five shillings in the hands of one of the prisoners they ran Away. The prisoners were also charged with having stolen other ennw of money from other children In o similar manner. A constable who arrested the neeneed read the statements made by them iulmlttlng having stolen the money and spcut it geing to picture houses and music lml'e. Murphy never went home. His parents were not In court. He expected there would be more caws reported against the accused.

The accused were all sent to refoima tories for the fnll period.