“TERRORISM” BY BOYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23693, 28 December 1938, Page 5

“TERRORISM” BY BOYS

CARS STOLEN WEEKLY SHOP RAIDS PLANNED (Fhom Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, Dec. 1. Two 16-year-old' boys, said by a detective-inspector to be members of a gang which had " terrorised ’’ the Hampstead district, were sent to approved schools. They appeared on remand at Hampstead Juvenile Court charged with being concerned with others in driving away two cars from outside houses in Langland Gardens, Hampstead, and Etoncourt, Hampstead, N.W. One of them pleaded guilty to taking and driving away another car' from Compayne Gardens, West Hampstead, on November 7, but not guilty to stealing from it a wireless set. This charge was withdrawn. Divisional Detective-inspector Oxland said that the charges arose out of the fatal accident to Police Constable Shepherd, following which three lads had been committed for trial at the Old Bailey on a charge of manslaughter. MAP OF ROUTE In addition to the charges against the youth before the court, said the inspector, they had admitted being concerned in a number of similar offences, and to attempting to break into a shop with the Intention of robbing the till, and. driving away in a car with any money obtained, A map showing the route supposed to be taken by them was found. One of the boys had also admitted being concerned in driving away the car from the running board of which Police Constable Shepherd fell. The boys had also contemplated breaking into a gunsmith’s shop with the idea of stealing revolvers. Before their arrest four or five cars had been taken from the Hampstead district each week. Both boys were given previous good characters by a school officer. The chairman. Mr W. J. Evans, said the boys were a pest to the neighbourhood, and they needed a course of training. _____