PLANNED TO ROB BANK

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 229, 24 June 1944, Page 6

PLANNED TO ROB BANK

Offences By Boys

(By Telegraph —Press Association.! NEW PLYMOUTH, June 23. “You might easily have been here on charges of murder,” said Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., when stressing the seriousness of proceedings involving five boys aged from 14 to 16 years, who appeared in the Children’s Court at New Plymouth today. Offences admitted by the boys, who confessed that they had planned to raid a bank at Waitara, included the theft of a rifle, revolvers and ammunition, bicycles, food and petrol and the conversion of two cars. Whether the boys ever seriously intended to hold up the bank was a question to be decided by thg Court, said Senior-De-tective E. C. Jarrold. “The evidence,” he added. - "points to the fact that their plan was not all a game.” . . Their experiences in the period, from December 25, 1943. to June 14, 1944. made an almost unbelievable story. There were 28 charges in all. The value of the stolen goods was over £45. and the damage to the motor-car amounted to £loo. The boys were ready to leave when their plans were interrupted. The car they had taken was reported to be at a beach camp, and when inspected by the police was found to contain loaded firearms and a club. Three boys were questioned, but that night they stole bicycles,, left New Plymouth and broke into a cottage, where they spent the uight. They and the two other hoys were arrested two days later and admitted all the offences. After hearing the facts, Mr. Woodward decided that the gang must be broken up by separating the boys. Three are to be removed from their homes and placed in areas where they cannot possihly associate. The fourth was placed under supervision at home, and the case of the fifth, whom medical evidence showed to be psychopathic, was adjourned sine die. '