TEN BOYS CHARGED WITH MURDER

Chronicle (Levin), 27 February 1947, Page 2

TEN BOYS CHARGED WITH MURDER

Press' Assn.-

By Telegraph

Copyright

Received Y\ ednesuav, 7 p.m. LONDON, 1-eb. 25. A prenieditated plot to kill the headmaster, disable the assistant masLer, and escnpe, was alleged against 1U boys from the Btandon Earm approvod school 1 at tlie Uccleshall (Stall'ordshife) Alagistrate 's Uourt. . ' Tlie boys were charged with niurderi.mg tlie assistant master, William Peter r'ieldliouse, aged 21. The ])rosecutiou ! alleged that the boys, the eldest of j ivliom is aged 1(5, shot Fieklhouse, iled from the school, ancl iater llred at a motorist. A 13-year-old boy from Ihe school1 described iu evidence how some of tlie 1 accused boys let liim into tho plot to^ | MU the lieadmaster, Mr." Dawson. Oue said to liim three days before the shoot ing: ' ' We are goiag to get rid of Mr. i Dawson." Another toid liim of a pla.ii to rob the clotbes stores and steal tlie lieadmaster 's car. On the dav of tho' shootiug tlie witness lieard the boys plot to "knock-out" Fieldhouse. Ile saw oue boy given 12 founds of aminu-j nition and another boy 100 rouads. Oue of t'lve accused boys went into the batli- j room aml the others into tlie recreationj room. Fieldhouse went towards tho ! batliroom, and witness heard three | shots. . , | Another 15-year-old witness said that; on a threat of being knifed he stole amiuuiiition from tlie lieadmaster 's ; house and lianded it to the accused 5 boys. * I A 14-year-old boy said lio saw the alleged riugleader staiuliug, rifle in ' hand, over Fieldhouse. All 10 boys were committed for trial. j They pleaded not guilty.