CURSE OF A BOY OF 15.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 9611, 6 February 1923, Page 3

CURSE OF A BOY OF 15.

REMARKABLE LETTER TO MAGISTRATE.

“I leave it to you whether my name is added to the''gradual lengthening list of crooks or to the list of honest and peaceful citizens. "If you take no notice of my appeal, then I hope-that God’s curse will be upon you and your family for the rest of your days. . . .” This, written by a. boy of fifteen, John Albert Smith, was addressed to the 'Willesden magistrate, before whom he pleaded guilty to stealing £35 worth of goods—opera glasses, cameras, and clothing—from a house at Harlesden, and a bicycle froni outside Kensal Rise ..Library. ‘•ft has been,”„he also wrote, “my greatest wish to be an aviator or a ship’s engineer.” Then after asking to be sent to a training ship or to Australia, he added: “I have not been given a fair chance right from the beginning of my somewhat erratic career. If'you do not answer my wish send me somewhere where I may die in peace.” It was stated that the hoy had escaped from Carlton Reformatory School, near Bedford, where “he had made it well known that lie would take every opportunity of running away.” The magistrate said he would remand him with a view to his committal for trial at the Middlesex Sessions as a fit subject for Borstal treatment. When taken from the court the boy wept bitterly!