WHY THEY WANTED SON, 14, JAILED We had no choice. He thought he could get away with anything
walking,” though it only turned serious recently.
He said: “We realised he needed extra help when he was in junior school and always getting in trouble.
“Back then it was still minor things like throwing stones at cars. The serious criminal behaviour has been within the last 18 months.”
The boy’s mum, a housewife aged 33, says previous punishments were too lenient. She said: “He did a bit of community payback, but most of the time they go to a centre, play snooker, have a laugh. They even go fishing.
“I can understand they do these things to keep them out of trouble, but when they get home they just go out and do whatever they want again.
TROUBLE
“My son has had different referral orders and bail conditions, but what use are they? He just ignores them and does whatever he wants.”
Long-suffering neighbours backed BY ANDREW NEILSON CAMPAIGNS DIRECTOR HOWARD LEAGUE FOR PENAL REFORM the parents yesterday. One said: “A lot of people have had enough, it’s been constant trouble. To be honest, people will be glad he’s not going to be around. I hope it sorts him out.”
In their letter – which came as the Government earmarked £22million to curb youth crime – the parents said they intended to move home to give the boy “a fresh start, away from interfering factors”. They will visit him in a secure unit tomorrow for talks about his education. Asked what his son thought of the letter, the father said: “I think he realises I wasn’t being unfair.
“I’d always stuck up for him. So I think not doing so this time had an impact. Hopefully this is the shock he needs. We only want the best for him.”