SEVEN YOUTHS SENTENCED

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25246, 26 July 1947, Page 2

SEVEN YOUTHS SENTENCED

SERIES OF CRIMES AT NAPIER VEHICLES VALUED AT £22,865 CONVERTED (P.A.) NAPIER, July 25. “This is perhaps the worst case of its kind we have had in this town," said Mr J. Miller, S.M., in the Children’s Court, when seven youths appeared on charges involving the conversion of cars, motorcycles. ahd bicycles, theft, and mischief. Described as the ringleader, one boy was sent to a Borstal institution, two others named as sub-leaders were sent to the Boys’ Training Centre at Levin, and the others were placed under Child Welfare supervision. The ages of the accused ranged from 14 to 17. The ringleader faced 33 charges, two others 11 charges, the fourth' five charges, the fifth four charges, and the 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. The bicycles taken were valued at £39. The property involved in the series of thefts was valued at £lBB. The Magistrate said the offences committed by the leaders of the gang had been carried out with ruthlessness and cunnintr. and with l utter disregard for the law. In his opinion, too much latitude by parents contributed to the incidence of child delinquency. “Through gang influence, decent boys brought up in good homes become contaminated by associates, succumbing to temptation, and entering crime without their parents knowing anything about it,” said the Magistrate.