Daring Boy Thief Urged on by Aunt

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 606, 7 March 1929, Page 1

Daring Boy Thief Urged on by Aunt

18 CHARGES ADMITTED PRISON TERM FOR WOMAN Preas Association CHRISTCHURCH, To-day. An astounding story of crime and incitement to crime was revealed in the Children's Court this morning when a 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to 18 charges of theft, involving £IOO.

His aunt pleaded guilty to , four charges of receiving goods sterren by the child, knowing the same to have been dishonestly obtained. The circumstances outlined by the police revealed that the boy was a daring thief, and that his aunt egged him on in his crimes anu benefited by them. According to the police, the boy had been stealing for his aunt. He told his parents he was at work, but every morning at seven he went to his aunt’s house and used it as a base for his operations. He would go back to his own home at about six o’clock. Each week he would give his parents 10s, which he led them to believe were his wages, but in reality were the proceeds of some robbery. “The woman is dangerous in any community,” said the magistrate, “and should be put out of the way. She is sentenced to six months’ imprisonment with hard labour.” The boy was placed under the care of the Superintendent of Child Welfare, with a recommendation that he be sent to Weraroa training farm.