On This Day, 2 August 1917

Birmingham Mail

Thursday 2 August 1917

SERIOUS DAMAGE BY BOYS

BIRMINGHAM COUNCILLOR’S COMPLAINT

Two boys of 13 and 15 years of age were charged in the Birmingham Children’s Court today with being concerned together and breaking and entering the carpenter’s shop of the Globe Brick Works, Garrison Lane, on the 20th and stealing tools valued at 25s., and also with doing wilful damage to the extent of £3. When arrested by Detective Elderton, one of the boys said he did the breaking in while his companion kept watch, and, pointing to a jemmy, added, “That’s what we broke in with.”

Councillor Stephenson, managing director of the company, said six doors had been broken open and the locks destroyed. Although he did not blame the police he thought the authorities hardly realised what was going on. Not only were the works of the company being constantly damaged and machinery and goods stolen, but the adjoining brick works had been damaged to the extent of £500. The kindness of the magistrates in dealing with children he thought was misunderstood, as people told him that boys under 16 years of age could do as they liked.

They boys were fined 2s. 6d. each and ordered to pay 20s. each damage.