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FIVE BOYS AND 65 CHARGES

BREAKING, ENTERING AND THEFT WARNING GIVEN BY MAGISTRATE (United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, May 13. “This tribe of thieves has given us more trouble than all the other children in Christchurch. There are something like 65 charges against them and the money and property they have stolen represents £96/6/3,” said DetectiveSergeant Sinclair when five boys appeared in the Children’s Court this morning. Against the ring-leader, a boy of 13J, there were a total of 14 charges of breaking and entering, 13 charges of theft and two charges of converting bicycles. The other four boys were implicated in his exploits to a- varying degree. Accompanied by one of the boys the ring-leader ran away from a State institution last April. They stole some money from a house and with it went to the West Coast where they broke into houses and shops, stealing money and property to the total value of £4l/7/9 and stole property valued at £lB/13/- from motor-cars. They were returned to the Home on April 13 but on Anzac Day the ring-leader persuaded two other boys to join him in running way again on converted bicycles. They made their way south where they committed a number of thefts but returned to the Home on April 27. On the night of May 7 the boys left home about 11 p.m. and returned in the morning after breaking into a skating rink and stealing from two motor-cars. “They seem to be able to get in and out of the home just as they please,” said Detective Sinclair. “I am not criticizing the management of the home which can only do as the law allows but we have to suffer for it.”

“It is all very well for the police,” commented the Child Welfare Officer, Mr A. Bisset, “but they can lock their clients in cells. We cannot do that.”

After warning the boys that if they continued their present course they would spend most of their lives in gaol the Magistrate ordered them to be returned to the care of the State.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST19390515.2.66

Bibliographic details

Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 7

Word Count
346

FIVE BOYS AND 65 CHARGES Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 7

FIVE BOYS AND 65 CHARGES Southland Times, Issue 23817, 15 May 1939, Page 7

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