Youthful Rascal Defies Laws Lessons

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 316, 29 March 1928, Page 1

Youthful Rascal Defies Laws Lessons

BOY’S BAD RECORD ESCAPEE FROM CUSTODY There is a 14-year-old boy in Auckland now whose criminal efforts can be checked by iron bars alone. Gentler methods were tried, but they failed. WHEN he was brought before a private sitting of the court today the story of his recent exploits was told. He is a big boy, looking much more than his age. At one time he was at the Wereroa Training Farm, but from there he was let out on licence at Hawera. After a spell of licensed service, he decided that it was time to move on to a bigger city, and stealing a motorcycle, he came on to Auckland. He was arrested in Auckland on the charge of stealing the motor-cycle, and he appeared before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., and was remanded to the Children’s Court on Saturday. He was ordered to be detained in custody, but through the intervention of child welfare ofllcials, he was removed to the Boys’ Probation Home.

Realising that he had a roving disposition, the authorities left him nothing but a shirt and a pair of pants. Yesterday afternoon, growing tired of restraint, he knocked a tiigger boy down and escaped. Later on a house at Mount Albert was broken into, and a suit and mouey taken. bast evening the boy escapee was found on the beach near Dixieland in a navy blue suit. He was charged at-another private court sitting to-day with breaking, entering and theft. Chief-Detective Hammond recommended that the boy be remanded in custody. The magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean, said that if that were done he would have to be kept apart from other prisoners. He will appear before the Children s Court on Saturday.