THEFT FROM SHOP.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20221, 3 February 1934, Page 13

THEFT FROM SHOP.

Three Young Boys Share in Proceeds. Three boys, aged eight, nine and eleven, faced charges of breaking and entering in the Children’s Court this morning. One was ordered to refund 3s, the second was placed under the supervision of the Child Welfare Officer for 'two years, and the third under supervision for three years. The I first boy was cencerned in one case only, which was heard first. The boy, aged nine, admitted breaking into a shop with the two others. They took £1 15s which was divided amongst them. ‘‘.You don’t want to worry your mother to death being a regular desperado,” said the Magistrate, Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M. “ No,” said the boy. Questioned the lad said he received only 2s lid from the £1 15s. He bought a pie and hid his money with that of the other boys in a tin. He did not touch any more of the money, and the pie was the only thing he bought out of it. The two other boys spent more of it. All he had was sixpence. The two other boys, brothers, were charged with breaking and entering five shops in the city. The elder admitted that he was the prime mover in the thefts. “ You have been mixed up with many things,” said the Magistrate. “ I really ought to have you sent away but your mother has said that she will keep a stricter eye on you in future.” The mother sajd the family had moved well out into the suburbs. Detective R. Thompson, who appeared for the police, said that the owner of one of the shops alleged that goods to the value of £5 were taken from his shop, but it was absurd to suggest that the boys had been responsible for the whole of that. “ I don’t see how they could have taken away more than 5s worth, inside or out,” said Mr W. M. West, who with Mrs T. Green, Justices of the Peace, were on the bench with the Magistrate. Restitution in this case was fixed at 2s 6d. Altogether restitution amounts to £2 1/ s 6d which is to be paid by the mother at the rate of 7s 6d a week.