YOUTHFUL THIEVES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17649, 9 December 1920, Page 8

YOUTHFUL THIEVES.

SERIES OF OFFENCES.

ABOUT SIXTY CHARGES. ALL ADMIT THEIR GUILT. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] "WELLINGTON. Wednesday. Seventeen lads, hailing from Wellington South, appeared in the Magistrate's Court to-day to answer to about 60 charges . of theft of varying degrees, a number being indictable. The youths concerned -with the number of charges against them were as follows : —John William Compton, 25 charges; Roy George Cudley, 22; Leo Francis McLaughlin, 15; Alfred Frank Tyree, 14; George Charles William Smith, 13; John Joseph Ash, 12; William Douglas, 10; Clifford Wilmot Ross and Kenneth W. Costello, 6 each; Albert Geo. Bennett, 5; George Rolf 4; Thomas McLaughlin, 3; John W. F. Jopson, George A. R. Irving, Claude Miles, Percy Edward Hanson, and James Campbell, one each. The ages of the lads range from 16 years to 20 years. They carried out their' depredations sometimes in pairs, sometimes three were together, and again five of them operated. They were apparently not particular whether it was a church, whare, shop or warehouse that they ininvaded for booty. * AJI the lads pleaded guilty to the charges preferred against them. The following were committed to the Court for sentence: —John W. Compton, Clifford W. Ross, Alfred F. Tyree K. W. Costello, John £. Ash, William Douglas, George C. W.HSmith, Leo McLaughlin Thomas McLaughlin, Roy G. Cudley and Albert G. Bennett. James Uunpbell, who was convicted of one offence, T » was *- given a good character by Chief-Detective Ward, and he ""-was discharged. Hanson was sentenced to a month imprisonment, with a recommendation that he be transferred to Weraroa. George Rolfe, J. W. Jopson, GAR Irving and Claude Mile's, were remanded until to-morrow for sentence.