JUVENILES IN TROUBLE

Evening Star, Issue 19197, 13 March 1926, Page 10

JUVENILES IN TROUBLE

BIG BATON BEFORE COURT SEVERAL OFFENDERS SENT TO HOMES Almost every Saturday morning one or two youthful offenders are lined up before the magistrate to answer more or less serious charges, but this morning saw tho biggest batch of such delinquents that Ims been brought before tho court for some time. The charges were, except in ono instance, of a much more serious nature than is tho rule hero, and four of the offenders were sent to institutions, while another one would probably have gone if it had not been for the tearful intervention of his mother. Tho majority of the cases disclosed tho fact that tho boys had practically a free hand, the parents being unabfo to give them much attention. “IN THE INTERESTS OF SOCIETY.” An offender, fifteen years of age, admitted the theit of a bicvclc valued at £0 10s. Air Lock (juvenile probation officer) said that t.hc boy was before the court twelve months ago for theft. There had boon some trouble in getting him to settle down alter being admitted to probation for a term of twelve months, and it was quite evident that he should be placed in an institution, as his father was not in a position to look after him.

The Magistrate (addressing Hu; father) ; Can yon show cause why the hoy should not bo committed to a home? Tho Father; I think it 'would ho in tho best interests ot the boy and society if you did so. The boy was ordered to he committed to the Roys’ Training .Home, Anderson’s Ray, the father to pay 15s per week maintenance. THEE BICYCLES STOLEN. A, diminutive offender with a penchant for stealing bicycles was next dealt with. Ho admitted the theft of throe machines, ranging in value irom £4 to £S, the offences having been committed at St. Hilda, and South I)lined in. Air Lock,said Unit the hoy was only eleven years of age, but bad known enough to interchange tho parts of the machines ho had I a lion. There had been complaints at various times about tho hoy, who hail been going around the district canvassing orders for his father. Ho had visited Hie home, and considered that in the interests of tho hoy lie should ho sent to an institution. Tho father said that lie scarcely ever saw-the hoy. 'Tho Magistrate; 3 vs, Hint's the trouble. Tho mother staled Unit, the hoy would not leave anything alone in the house, and she considered that ho should ho sent away. Tho father slated Hint he was a laborer, .earning £3 J7s. There wore half a dozen children. Tho offender was _ committed to tho Cavcrsham Industrial ,School,_ to he brought up in tho Brethren form of religion, the. parents being ordered to ppy os a week towards his support. A GROUP OF FIVE. The most serious cases were revealed when four boys, aged respectively eleven, eleven, twelve, and thirteen, were charged on two informations with the theft or cigarettes from a shop in the north end. Three of these offenders along with another one aged ton wore further charged with stealing 30s in money from a. shop in North-cast \ allay. “All the offences were admitted.

Mr Lock said that whilst the charges in respect to stealing the money from North-east Valley were hanging over their heads the boys had raided a shop for cigarettes. One of the offenders had been before the court in February, 1922, and again in 1924, charged' with theft. “Ho .seems to bo developing into an expert shop thief,” said Mr Lock, speaking of the depredations of one of the eleven-year-old boys. He considered that ho and the boy of the same age should be sent to an institution. The mother of the twclve-ycar-okl accused was a widow, and the boy simply did what he liked, fie was “ on a fair way to becoming a criminal.” Fie recommended that the boy aged thirteen and one of the elcyen-yoar-old offenders should bo given another chance. The father of one of the _ offenders stated that he had n family of ten, and earned £9 per fortnight. He paid 30s rent.

The mother of the boy aged tAvelvc said that she was prepared to sell up her home, and go into the country if she were .allowed to take her son with her. The Magistrate agreed to this course being taken, and adjourned the case sine die in order to give Mr Lock an opportunity of seeing Avhat arrangements could be made. The elder boy and one of the eleven-year-olds -were given a final chance, Hie matter being adjourned for tAvelve months, the offenders to ho under Mre Lock’s supervision during that time. The other tAvo boys were sent to the Cavorsham Industrial School, the parents of one to pay 5s a week towards his support. Both aro to be brought up in the Presbyterian form of religion. STONE-THROWING. A lad of sixteen years of ago admitted having wilfully damaged an electric lamp at Maori Hill, valued at 10s. Mr Lock said that the hoy, who boro an excellent character, had throAvn a stone at the lamp. The Magistrate said that ho ought to be ashamed of himself. Ho Avas admonished and discharged, and his parents Avcre ordered to make good the damage done.