YOUTHFUL THIEVES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16913, 9 December 1920, Page 4

YOUTHFUL THIEVES.

A SOUTH WELLINGTON GANG,

For Press Association. WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. seventeen lads hailing from Welliugton South appeared in the Magistrato s Court to-day to answer to about surcharges of theft of varying degree a good many being indictable. ’ The youths concerned, with the numbor or charges against each, were as loUow :~~J olm \\ illiam Compton (25 charges), Hoy George Cudley (22) Leo trailers MLaughlia (15), Alfred Frank c v? no?’ A eor f° Charles William Smith (13), John Joseph Ash (12) William Douglas (10) Clifford'' tfilmot Ross and Kenneth W. Costello (6 each) AUiert George Bennett (5), George Roffe (4) lliomas MLaughlin (J), John W. J. Jopson, George A. R Irving, Claude Milos, Percy Edward Hanson, and James Campbell (1 each). The ages of the lads range from 16 years to 20 years. J

They carried out their depredations sometimes in pairs and sometimes three were together, and again five of them operated. They were apparently not particular whether it was a church a whare, a shop, or a warehouse that they invaded for booty. All tho lads pleaded guilty to tho charges preferred against them, arid the following were committed to tho Supreme Court for sentence:—John W. Compton, Clifford W. Ross. Alfred E. Tvroe, K W Cos tollo, John J. Ash, William Douglas George O. W. Smith, Leo F. M‘Whim, Thomas MLaughlin, Roy Q Cud ley, and Albert G. Bennett.

James Campbell, who was .convicted of one offence, was given a good character by* Chief-Detective Ward and he was discharged. Hanson was sentenced to a month’s imprisonment with a recommendation that he be transferred to Weraroa. George Rolf, J. W. Jopson G. A. R. Irving, and Claude were remanded till to-morrow for sentence.