Burglar’s Kit Found In Boy’s Possession.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18640, 18 December 1928, Page 1

Burglar’s Kit Found In Boy’s Possession.

WAS ARRESTED WITH TWO OTHERS WHEN ON POINT OF COMMITTING SERIOUS CRIME AT CITY SHOP.

. Three boj'S, whose names were suppressed, came before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M.. at the Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged jointly on two counts of attempted breaking and entry. Their ages were sixteen, seventeen and eighteen years. Air 'Cuthbert appeared for the eldest boy, and Mr Archer for the other two. “The three of. them admit the facts,” said Chief-Detective Carroll. “ They attempted this breaking and entry on Sunday night. The boy who was caught admitted that he was keeping watch while the other two were inside, and that the idea was breaking and entering. One boy,, the eldest, who was kneeling in a doorway and managed to make an escape, was subsequently* arrested. A Lurglar’s kit was found in his possession. He admitted being on the premises. The other two were caught there.” The Chief-Detective said - that the charges were indictable, but he would be agreeable to any alteration which would obviate the necessity of taking the-boys .before the Supreme-Court. After deliberation with counsel, the Magistrate declared . that the charges would be altered to being unlawfully on private* premises at. night. Pleas of guilty were . entered. Mr Cuthbert said that the eldest boy was .a lad of good parts and intelligence. The offence was entered into out of, a regrettable spirit Qt bravado and adventure: The taking of other people's property did not weigh with

him as much as the carrying through of the exploit with his mates. lie was trusted with cash by his employer up to the time of the offence, and the employer had no reason to doubt his honesty. The boy, who was eighteen years of age, had had to earn his own living ever since he was left on his own in Melbourne at the age of thirteen. Nine months ago he applied to join the Nary, but was debarred through slightly defective eyesight: Addressing the Court on behalf of the younger boys, Mr Archer said that they were not under very strong parental control. Both came of poor families, the mothers being hard-work-ing women who really endeavoured to do the best for their boys. The Magistrate' said that the boys had the least excuse of any who came before the Court. At least two of them were in active employment. Fortunately for the boys their attempted burglary was nipped in the bud by the activity of the police. Otherwise, the lads would have been sent away by the Court.. .The Magistrate regretted that he had not the power to order a thrashing in this’ case. - ... The three accused were committed to probation for two years. The Magistrate (to. the Chief-Detec-tive) : You will see that those instruments of warfare are kept away from the - boys. • “ Yes, we’ll keep them as curios,” re•plied the Chief-Detective.