THEFTS BY YOUNG BOYS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 96, 27 April 1929, Page 11

THEFTS BY YOUNG BOYS

Five young boys, -whose ages ranged from'll to 13 years, appeared, before Mr. T. B. M'Neil," S.M., in the Children^ Court to-day, charged with" the .theft" of confectionery, "soft drinks,..etc'.,'.of. a total value of ':.££. l6s.'. . One qt,the boys; also had' a' charge;of ■ theft-"bf .sweets against him,..and a further charge- of the theft of"a bicycle.! : ■" '•"•'.-■■ ■ '''•' !-v"--'-,-'.- ■'-. :: Chief D.ecectiv'&vWard. said: that the offences occurred: at -a. sweet-shop in the lobby of the Queen's .Theatre.; .The Chief Detective, described the. -home environment of four of the boys as good, and that of the -fifth as fair., \one of the boys, he said, had:: already, .beeii twice'before the Court for.,.theft. ... '. ' . •

'•'There is 1 no doubt; that:this is more than "a pure' bpys' escapade,'' -sajd the Magistrate/ addressing the live boys: "You have committed the crime of breaking and entering, and you'have,stolen goods and broken other people's property. Four o£ you will bo placed under-the care of the Child Welfare Officer, Mr.. Goodwin, for. two years. Youmust separate your friendship, and not be out any . night.' after ■ dark, nor arc any of you to go to the pictures. Each of the four of you are to regularly write to Mr. Goodwin and tell him how you are getting on." Atklnessing the other boy, Mr. M'Neil said: "You're on a different footing. . This is the third time you have been to this Court. • : It looks to me as if you were, the ring-leader of the gang.": The-Magistrate placed the bpy in the care of the Child Welfare Superintendent. "This means he will be in the care of the State until he is 21," concluded the Magistrate. Orders for the restitution of the value, of the goods stolen were made against the parents.of the boys.