Here's a heartening development.
 

Some months ago, I posted a couple of pics of the defaced war memorial in Oak Hill Park, under the thread "Respect, or rather the lack of it". The story was subsequently picked up by the Observer (see, we have more influence than we realise).

On the front page of this week's edition developments are reported. Apparently following the Observer's running of the story the culprit's mother recognised the names involved in the vandalism as belonging to her thirteen year old who, as usual, cannot be named for legal reasons.

However, Seargeant Bob Eaton of Accrington Police has announced that the boy will be made to clean up Oak Hill Park as part of his punishment. He has also been given an "Acceptable Behaviour Contract", which will involve the Police monitoring his subsequent behaviour. And quite right too, I hear you all say.

Interestingly though, and this is the bit which I find heartening, the miserable little scrote is to be taken under police escort to the Lancashire County War Museum in Preston. Sergeant Eaton said: "We want the lad to understand why such a fuss is being made over this. We'll whisk him to the regimental museum to show him why we have such memorials and why they should be places of respect for his generation as well as the elderly. This is not about rewarding bad behaviour; it's about being pragmatic and making the best of a bad job. It's also about being true to our world and supporting a parent who was brave enough to come forward.

Brigadier Geoff Sheldon, of The Queen's Lancashire Regiment said:"If the museum visit results in the boy realising he did a stupid, cruel thing it will have been an inspired idea."

I wonder how this initiative might be extended to cover other acts of mindless vandalism and anti-social behaviour?

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

I have no objection to this lad being taken around the War Museum. For once, I think it's quite a good idea. The punishment seems to be fitting the crime making him help to clean up Oakhill park. All respect goes to his mother who had the integrity to report him to the police, as that couldn't have been easy for her.

I do object to kids who are always in trouble being taken on jollies abroad at our expense, as reported in national newspapers in the past. I don't think that this teaches them anything except that they can be delinquent and get a holiday out of it.

I reckon some examples of suitable punishments for the under aged would be:-

Mugging/ assault on elderly - compulsary work with elderly people via Age Concern, doing their shopping, home visiting and cleaning.

Animal Cruelty - 12 months compulsary voluntary work at RSPCA

Drinking and smashing their bottles in the streets - Compulsary street cleaning...:D

I would especially like to see the street cleaning thing....

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

got to say read the article,and a couple of things in it were pleasing.(1) the little gits MUM shopped him-which really pleased me.(2) the museum trip.its a start anyway!

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

I too think the mum did well. Its a shame in these days of virtual reality we couldn't stick said scrote in the middle of WW1 trenches to show him just what people did so he can live in a free society.

I have always thought that kids should be 'prosecuted' no matter what age they are. There are plenty of meanial jobs that they could be made to do.

Ian

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

like the virtual reality one,not sure about( any age)prosecution think under a certain age the parents should be brought to account,may just make them better parents?

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

Well done to the mother as has been said it can't have been easy to shop him. I think in this case the punishment fits the crime. It may also encourage other parents to come forward if they find out their kids have acted in a minless way.....well we live in hope

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

hear hear,once did exactly the same with one of mine- don't think it encouraged other parents,but it had the desired effect on an 11year old-been as good as gold since,and thats 20 years ago.

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

It would be unfair to punish the parents in this particular case, as it was the boy's mother who shopped him. It might also put other concerned and responsible parents off doing the same, if they might have to pay a fine which they could ill afford. Where parents are irresponsible, then certainly they should be made to pay ... it could well be the only way to get them to take some responsibility.

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

You have just brought back a vivid memory for me Cashman. I was about 4 years old & my mum realised I had stolen 8 old pennies to buy sweets after being told I couldn't have any. When my dad found out he took me to the police station & had me locked in a cell!! It was probably no more than a minute but felt like hours. I never stole anything again. If that was done to a child today there would probably be a public outcry..... But it worked for me.

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

didn't mean this lads parents pendy,the mum deserves a medal in my book(see previous replies)

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

We could always send the little sod out to the front line in Iraq and let him see how soldiers are risking their lives and let his life be at risk for a while. It may give him some idea of the debt of gratitude we owe to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

It does seem as if bad behavior is being rewarded.

What about the silly old sod who flirted with a young girl on a bus and was reported in The Observer the other week as trying to kiss and flirt with her? Perhaps he should be sent as punishment for a visit to Cheltenham Ladies College?

After my antics on Sunday l could be punished by a trip to a bier kellar on the Reeperbahn?

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

I applaud the lads Mum for taking him to the police........I don't really think a trip to the Museum will do anything for him......but walking it back might.

Debbie, my mum did that to me too.......I had taken the sixpence from the church collection money that she used to put aside each week. She marched me down to the police station and the Sargeant gave me a real telling off. I wasn't put in the cells though.


I hope this young vandal has to clean the memorial with a toothbrush.

Re: Here's a heartening development.
 

well done to the mum, just shows that parents can do the right thing. I think the punishment shows some sensible policing so well done to all involved