JUVENILE CRIME.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 13 February 1926, Page 5

JUVENILE CRIME.

THEFT AT ASHBURTON TWKNiTY-EI G HIT OHARG ES AiGAI iViST FOUR) BOYS. (by TF.LEQRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) ABHBURTON, Feb. 12. “This is an awful state of affairs, that in a small community like Ashburton offences of this kind have been committed almost with impunity,” said Mr. El. D. Mosley, S.M., to-day, when hearing twenty-eight charges of damage, theft and breaking and entering against four lads who appeared at the Juvenile Court. The boys’ ageis ranged from 14- to 10 years. The police stated that a day book stolen from a store, containing statements of debts totalling over .0100, had not been recovered. The magistrate reduced the charges to simple theft. The police said one boy refused to make a statement for some time. Jt was stated that the ringleader of tile gang was committed to the Bonstal Institute last week. This lad had used threats of violence if the others divulged information. The probation officer said the mother of one of the. boys had come across a letter from the ringleader in which he stated that he was going to become a “master cracksman.” One boy elected to take a thrashing instead of “going away.” The others were ordered eight strokes of the birch, were placed on two years’ probation, and were ordered to make restitution for the goods, not recovered. Another lad of 17, not connected with the others, appeared on charges, principally of damage to and theft from gas meters. The case was adjourned to allow inquiries to be made as to apprenticing hi . - - .diburton.