For several weeks past, a number of cases in which juveniles have been concerned have come from Letchworth before the Hitchin Magistrates, and the local press have been commenting upon the increase of crime amongst Garden City school-boys. On Tuesday a batch of seven boys appeared, the eldest being 14 and the youngest 8. Two were charged with discharging fireworks and were fined 2s. each, while the other five were charged with the theft of bicycle lamps.
The evidence showed that these lads went to the bicycle sheds at Dent’s Bookbinding works and the Foster Instrument Co., and took lamps off the machines. Then they proceeded to other works, and as the workers were leaving they offered the lamps for sale. The lamps, which were valued at from 4s. 6d. to 10s. each, were sold for from 2d. to 3d.. The Bench convicted in every case, and three of the lads were ordered two strokes with the birch for each offence and two one stroke each.
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