OLIVER TWIST IN REAL LIFE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 272, 4 May 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

OLIVER TWIST IN REAL LIFE.

BOY WHO WAS TERRORISED INTO

LIFE OF CRIME

Tlicro was a very human touch in tho proceedings at the London Juvenile Court recently, when bright little hoy, Alfred William Coates, told between his sobs of tho way in whk-li he had been mads to steal by a gang of men, who annexed the property. it was Oliver Twist in real life, for, according to the boy, the men, after terrorising him into running away from a home of detention took him to premises in the City where the thefts were committed.

A police inspector .assured Sir David Burnett that there was a good deal of truth in the boy's story, and added that his father was dead and his mother could not bo found. Sir David said he could not believe that such a bright intelligent little chap could commit such crimes of his own accord, and he saw 110 reason why ho should not yet become n useful member of society.

The magistrate thereupon remanded Coates, 111 order that arrangements should bo made to get him 011 a ship.