STEEPED IN CRIME

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1932, Page 7

STEEPED IN CRIME

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD OFFENDER. AMAZING RECORD EARNED. An eight-year-old boy, who was to be the leader of a gang of juvenile thieves, was at Ramsgate sent to an industrial school until he is 16, says the London “News-Chronicle,” “Never in the police annals of the borough has there been a boy of such tender years with such a reputation," said the chief constable. “He is an expert shopbreaker, housebreaker, till thief, pickpocket, and shoplifter. “1 doubt,” added the chief constable, “if in the whole of England there is a boy of such age who can do such clever things.” The lad and two of his companions, asred 11 afid 12 respectively, were charged with stealing a quantity of mineral water and a number of tins of nuts and raisins from a mineral water factory. It was stated that the lads gained entry into the factory by breaking a pane of glass near a spring lock so that they could pass their hands through and lift the latch. Giving details of the eight-year-old boy’s recent exploits the chief constable said that a few days ago lie climbed into the back premises of a publichouse and stole some empty bottles, and then going to the front of the premises disposed of them at 2d each as returned empties. On another occasion lie was caught with another hoy trying to force an entrance to a refreshment kiosk with a jemmy improvised from a nine-inch iron spike. He and another hoy went carol-sing-ing at Christmas, and because they got no response at one house the other boy kept watch while the eight-year-old hoy got into the building. He was discovered in the premises hv the householder.

Expert as Pickpocket. In the summer time the child was a pest to visitors because ot his expertness as a pickpocket. He made a practice of frequenting premises oil the Marino Parade, where intoxicating liquors were served at tables in tinopen a ir. There lie would drink the dregs from tin* glasses, and oil one occasion was found to he under tlu* inllu enco ol drink.