Teens in custody after stadium seats destroyed
Wednesday 27th April 2011, 2:59PM BST.
The damage is inspected this morning
A GANG of teenagers spent the night in police custody after 50 seats were wrecked at Springfield Stadium causing thousands of pounds of damage.
None of the five girls or seven boys, aged between 13 and 15, would own up to last night’s incident so officers decided to arrest all of them on suspicion of malicious damage. They are all being questioned this morning.
Police spent all of last night clearing up the seats, which had been smashed to bits before the plastic was thrown all over the football pitch.
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“Nothing to do”, “bored”, “dad’s left home” These are all the likely responses. Get the parents to clean up and work free for a month to the Parish to help offset the cost – and every school holiday for the next year have the kids sweeping the roads – that should cure them!
I would offer my son out as free labour for a year if he did anything like this!
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Make the parents pay (yes i am a parent as well)
The least they can do for not knowing where their kids were.
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cane and birch singapore law it works
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What a bunch of delinquents. It’s times like this i wonder why they ever stopped with corporal punishment.
I hope the chav parents are held accountable and forced to pay the damages.
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I thought they would have locked the park up at night?
I know they took away the benches some time ago.
Another reason why they should lock the new park at night to keep the little horrors out.
Otherwise it will be wrecked within a week or too.
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Now then, remember their rights and let them off ‘again’ with a caution!!
Yet another example of where YOU the failed society have let the youth of today do as they please without consiquence.
Thank you to everyone who voted for the naughty step rather than the birch! I see its working well.
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I hope that Senator Cohen considers this act of destruction very carefully when he makes a decision regarding the hight of the perimiter fence for the Town Park, flower gardens, shrubs, and trees are part of the plans.
How long does he think they will last before they are destroyed?
There is a petition at the moment which has been signed by several hundred people who live in the area who are requesting that the hieght of the fence be raised, I hope they get their way.
Even when these vandals go to court there are very little consequences.
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I’d say 120 hrs community service, 4 hrs every Saturday 9am-1pm for the next 30 weeks should give them time to ponder.
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This has disgusted me, when we were at that age our Parents taught us to respect our elders & anything that was not ours & we made our own fun. But a lot ot the Children today are just Mindless Vandals & Violent Thugs, & I am sorry but some of the Parents of these Children have to be made Liable espically after all this Mindless Vandalism has been caused.
There is sadly no Deterent for these Children as they get a smack on the wrist & told not to do that again & sadly, we see that does not work. We need to have some kind of Boot Camp for these Mindless Hooligans.
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Come down extreemly hard on these kids which will send out a strong message to their palls.
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They have all been arrested and I will bet you quite a lot of cash that in due course they will all be released without charge due to insufficient evidence- because there will be no proof which of them actually caused the damage. If they all stick together and deny it they will all walk free. Absolutely wrong but the law is too heavily weighted in favour of minors who commit crimes of vandalism. It’s almost not worth arresting them because of the waste of resources.
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Dont just blame chav parents. alot of the kids are from priviledged families as well.
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A good example of why Fort Regent should be put back to good use. Give them something to do, somewhere to go.
Better still make them help renovate the place for the next year as part of a punishment.
They’ll either learn from it the hard way or maybe even get some pride in achieving something good for a change.
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Its time we sore anyone committing this sort of crime receive a SERIOUS punishment. How about making the parents pay for every last bit of damage? Im sure that would make some of these kids think twice
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Well… What can we expect, we asked for it by allow the care bears to win in the human rights stakes. Now we can’t do anything about it, they are children, they know their rights, and will fully flaunt them.
I’m at a loss to understand how children aged 13 are allowed to be out at 10.15pm (regardless of whether it’s a school night or not). This is a pure failing from the parents, since they quite blatently didn’t know where their little horrors were.
Parents should thus be made to pay for the damage, regardless of whether it causes them hardship or not (only way to actually make a stance on things). Removal of childrens priviliges (a curfew imposed for 12months maybe) should also happen, maybe it will make the parents more responsible for them, since they will be made to stay at home.
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We already know what will happen in court.
The bleeding hearts will give them all Aquasplash passes and vouchers for Creepy Valley cos they’re from disadvantaged backgrounds,innit.
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Name and shame them, make them pay the damage and also do community service. Unless they are punished, it will happen over and over.
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Name and shame is what they should do. Unfortunately on this occasion at Springfield, the children were still sitting around. Maybe they were just waiting to be caught! Attention seeking and bored. No amount of punishment will help these children. They will go to school tomorrow and brag of what they did. I repeat name and shame!
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This is an absolute disgrace!
What on earth holidaymakers must make of this mindless violence I dread to think.
There must be a pretty good case against them for them to be arrested in the first place. If they all deny it, charge them anyway. As they are minors then their parents must be made responsible for ensuring the damage is paid for. If they don’t have a job, stop their benefit until it’s been paid off.
In addition, they could contribute towards CCTV which will ensure that this sort of thing does not happen again.
The individuals and their parents cannot be allowed to get away with this.
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its funny how all of you are quick to blame youths when they dont have anywere to actually go at night, if you really didnt want this to happen then LOCK THE PARK or maybe have security guards ther ? stupid people !
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even thought they shouldnt have recked the place, you know nothing about these people, there backgrounds, whats going on so how can you judge them and also its not the parents faults, they didnt send them to reck the stadium.
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take it from someone who was there only a couple of people actually did the ‘malicious crime’ and then 13 people get arrested for it and now its 16 its pathetic but thats the states of jersey police force for you
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How can 50 seats equate to thousands of pounds worth of damage? No wonder spending is out of control.
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Were it not for this incident, I would have had no idea how naff and tasteless the seating at Springfield is.
Not exactly on my visiting list!
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“Give them something to do, somewhere to go”.
What tosh,they have beaches,sports fields (beside Springfield), youth clubs or helping run them but not cool enough probably,elderly to be helped etc they have so many advantages over other destinations& it does not involve not having money or being dis advantaged its VANDALISM.
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It might be a little premature to vent our middle class outrage but for those who seem convinced that all these young people are guilty can be reassured that a group of people who cause criminal damage are by law individually and severally liable for the fact i.e if it can be proven that one person conributed towards the collective damage of the seats, they will be punished accordingly.
Although we can sympathise with the Police’s position in arresting everyone present, this does not automatically make each one of them guilty of a crime.
The rights these young people enjoy are the same you would, if you were accused of wrongdoing – innocent until proven guilty and we cheapen this right by proposing punishments before these people have even been brought to trial.
All we know as this stage is that some people are being detained on suspicion of committing criminal damage.
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@James, if replacing a single seat costs say £25 per seat plus say £20 an hour labour costs at 1 hour per seat to prepare, fit and finish, then basic maths suggests 50 seats at £45 each = £2250, which is more than one thousand, therefore thousands (plural).
Regardless as to what the cost is, this was mindless vandalism and needs to be stopped and the guilty appropriately punished, whether they be chavs or hooray henry’s.
Moving onto comments regaring nothing to do in Jersey, having spent the past (almost 3) weeks with my children of similar age, we have been non stop kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, pier jumping, visited museums, Durrell, cliff paths, board games, cards, watched the occasion movie, chilled out on the beach, gone skateboarding with friends (3 skateparks in Jersey now – fantastic), bike riding, hung out with friends without having the need to smash anything up, and plenty more that I can’t think of off the top of my head right now. Yes, some of it costs money, but most of it was free.
People who say there is nothing to do in Jersey lack imagination, are to lazy to bother to find out what there is to do, or just have parents that pay no interest in encouraging their kids to get out and do something fun and constructive. Whatever it is be it one of the above or all 3, smashing up someone else’s property just for the sake if it is noit acceptable and should not be tolerated.
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Bring back stocks in the square and provide free rotten vegetable to throw at them – for starters anyway. Then put them to work for all school holidays. Oh, and bring back national service! That should sort all the little SH@~* out.
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As an holidaymaker seen it first hand how Jersey youths behave: I reported youths URINATING Behind the beach wall by the upturned boat,in broad daylight.Many people there,Police came.What did they do to them? After a few seconds walked away.The youths carried on drinking and swearing .A totally disgracefull spectacle. Get tough .Your Police don’t give a toss.Never will return to this beautiful Island.Full of APATHY.
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@ 12 (Sarah)
What rubbish, anyone “privileged” with any kind of class would not be hanging around parks at night smashing them up, especially not around the Springfield area.
@ 21 (hmmm)
You can tell everything from their backgrounds from the way they behave, kids who’s chav scum parents would rather sit in the pub than teach them the difference between right and wrong, or instill any kind of morals of conscience.
So of course it’s the parents fault, if you don’t know what your 13 year old is doing at 10′o’clock at night then you really shouldn’t of had children.
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Some one young – That is the dumbest comment I have ever read.
So unless we lock everything up at night we should expect it to be destroyed by kids?
You should be locked up just for saying that
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You would have thought anyone with class wouldnt be a bully, take drugs or drink but it still happens.
And yes parents should know where their kids are at night
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#22 I take it you were on the phone to the Police reporting it as it was happening then? When it’s your taxes that pay to repair the seating you might care a little more!
#30 Plenty of rich people have no class at all. The evidence of that used to be a bit harder to find but thank goodness for TV we can all witness the WAGS! Rich parents aren’t automatically better than poor parents.
And is being in your own house enjoying excessive drink and drugs (not caring about where your children are) really any worse than being drunk down at your local (not caring about where your children are)?
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I was there # 22. So you were a witness to this occurrence were you? Have you volunteered to give any evidence or informatrion to the police, so that the innocent can go free and the guilty pay dues to society. No I suspect you haven’t, but it’s okay to whinge about the actions of the cops… the term numbskull spings to mind.
Delta # 26. I totally agree; the accused are innocent until proven guilty, but with everyone closing ranks this won’t be easy. Let’s hope the police have done their job properly and there is forensic evidence to prove who was responsible. Mind you there might be evidence on Facebook
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J-Cat, you hit the nail right on the head. I hope they get exactly what you suggest; a Mickey Mouse caution would not be enough.
Folks who say delinquents who do this have nothing to do should take into account all of the opportunities for sport,culture,volunteering etc.
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Probably the result of a FREE STATES SCHOOL education and not appreciating a FREE FOOTBALL PITCH.
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eh … leave them kids alons
Local kids doing local things in a local way. Lets be honest when I was a kid you went on the tip and looked for rats and stuff or climbed into fridges and old cars. In jersey all there is to do is go to the beach and admire the local granite houses ma lav eh! They (kids) all live in a golden cage with gilded bars. Welcome to Jersey or as they said in League of Gentlemen ….you’ll never leave!!!!
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Anyone who says there will be no evidence – I bet they have photo/filmed their vandalism and put it on Facebook or whatever. Crimminals who get caught are not generally the brighest!
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This genuinely shocks me. It is not a case of children just being ‘bored’ as when I was a kid and was bored, I’d go out side and play, read a book, or harass my parents to take me out. These kids are not getting the correct upbringing, love and attention that they clearly need. A child who is brought up in a loving family generally would not commit crimes like this.
I drove past a few kids last night at about 10pm, they couldn’t have been more than 10 years old, and they were drinking cans of that Relentless energy drink. I mean please, parents, what are you doing to your children?? At 10, I was still at home playing with toys, and not ashamed to admit it!
And 20 – they DO have places to go at night, it’s called HOME!!
22 – you can’t blame the police, they’re doing their job. If no one admits to the crime, it’s basic protocol to speak to ALL of the people there. I’d be shocked if they didn’t!
I’m guessing these are a few ‘friend’s’ of the youths adding their opinion on here!
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Also, whether the young people have nothing to do or not, this absolutely does not mean they should be smashing things up! Kids these days have so much more at home than we ever have. Computers, iPods, consoles, the list is endless. If they’re ‘bored,’ then parents should be addressing why they’re not happy with the abundance of technology etc that they have. And yes, even those living in social housing receiving help from the States have all this high tech stuff. I’ve driven pastHousing properties that have bigger T.V’s than Homemaker!!
And come on, Jersey has one of the best and well funded Youth Services in the UK! And young people up to 25 can attend. There are just no excuses for such awful behaviour, and as 27 – Bean About a Bit says, the lack of imagination is a huge problem. Stop being so lazy!!
Bean About a Bit – can I ome out and play with you guys next holidays?
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i was there (22) “take it from someone who was there only a couple of people actually did the ‘malicious crime’ and then 13 people get arrested for it and now its 16 its pathetic but thats the states of jersey police force for you”
Come on now, you can’t really blame the police – no doubt when they arrived on the scene the whole 13 who were present acted like surly, arrogant little dipshits, with “no one sayin’ nuffink”. In all honesty what choice do the police have but to hoik everyone back to the station, unless of course, someone like yourself, who knows better, helps them out a bit?
It is clear from what you wrote that even at your young age, you already view police with contempt. That is a definite shame. Perhaps this is from experience, (I know that there are some bolshy police out there too), or perhaps it is misplaced attitude that you have learned from your peers? Either way, try to accept that they have to be seen to be doing something – after all, what was done was a criminal act!! – but please be mature enough to realise that they are only doing their job and if you can help them sort it all out with what you know, then why not? At least that way you would be saving yourself (presumably) and many of your friends from unnecessary grief from your parents!
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As a teenager living on this island, I find some of the comments hilarious whilst also being rude and offensive.
I often wonder how many of you people calling the youth of today malicious, violent and thugish hold any place in society that is either productive or supportive to our communities or economy.
If you choose to stereotype an entire generation with such negative connotations I choose to stereotype the people like BR and ‘Jane’ as nothing more than useless, negative and a waste of society’s resources. The majority of this island’s youths are perfectly peaceful, polite and adhering of the law, and not the aggressors that Jersey’s right wing wannabe ‘middle class’ choose to portray them as.
I am not here to sympathise with the people who committed the crime, nor to complain about the lack of facilities available. I am as disgusted by such acts of mindlessness as the next person, however as a 16 year old, I am tired of being tarred with the same brush time after time.
The attitudes that these youths have is nothing to do with class, wealth or a ‘chavvy’ upbringing, but rather a sign of the failings in education and social mobility-problems which only our government can solve. Unfortunately the Jersey electorate chooses only to vote for the middle-aged right wing politicians rather than those with young and fresh ideas. So in a rather cyclical and ironic way, a tedious link can be drawn between you, the supposed victims of heinous crimes such as the vandalism of a sports centre which you never used and those who commit such god awful atrocities!
Jeez, it really puts the middle east into perspective.
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Bring back the birch or preferable the cane into the school disciplinary system – sometimes the only way to a brat’s brain is through his or her backside. This would also save time and an enormous amount of public money.
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@30 (BR) but you cant thought, there are parents out there that get up at 5.30 in the morning to go to work and they will work all day long to provide for these children and then they get home and look after the children, and then many have second jobs. These parents are also strict (not all) Most of these children have parents like this, but still choose to act out. These parents have tried everything. You cannot call these parents like these ‘chav parents’. Yes there might be parents out there that let there children do all they please, but the majority are not.
and also people from all different class can misbehave, just because there are people in a lower class that doesn’t just assume that they misbehave just like you are assuming that people in middle or upper class wont ever behave like that, of corse they do.
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42 – I hope you’re going to go into politics! Seems the Island could do with some one young with a sensible mind like you. And you’re right, it isn’t the majority whatsoever. I know some wonderful teenagers, who will turn into wonderful adults and no doubt benefit society greatly, but the media jumps on incidents like this as though it’s the norm amongst teens.
How about the JEP do an article on the youth of the Island and what GOOD they do instead of always focussing on the bad.
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i would just like to say, im a middle class teenager, i have a loving family and a mother that works 2 jobs, i have been brought up well and my parents are strict, but i have been arrested i do get into trouble with the law quiet alot and get into lots of trouble at school, and my mother is not a ‘chav parent’, so its not how you have been brought up its how you want to live your life.
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It seems now that up to fifteen youths could be charged with malicious damage – nevertheless, they each deserve the benefit of a fair trial.
We can both sympathise with the position in which the Police Officers were placed in having to arrest everyone to preserve evidence and the fact that some (or indeed all) of them may well be innocent.
The law doesn’t exist to satisfy the bigotry of the older generation against young people, no matter what they may or may not have done they are not guilty of any wrongdoing until a jury says otherwise – I risked my neck fighting in countries where this is not the case and believe me none of you would want to be subjected to the kind of Justice there.
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@42. You’re first 4 paragraphs were well written and you make a very good point. I agree, it is not right to blame all of the youth of today. This is just a small minority and it is unfair to blame every teenager on the behaviour of just a few.
Unfortunately you let yourself down after this. How can you blame this type of behaviour on the failings of the education system and the government, when you yourself have said, that the majority of teenagers actually behave in an acceptable manner. If it was the education system to blame, then surely this would reflect in the behaviour of all teenagers.
As for your perception of the Middle East, I would be interested in which countries in the Middle East you have visited to be able to make such a statement. Having spent some time in the Middle East myself, I can assure you, that the sanctions imposed on the young people who trashed Springfield would be far worse in some countries than the kids in Jersey are likely to receive.
Recent news from Bahrain tells us of 4 people being sentenced to death for protesting against the government, something that you maight be found guilty of with your comments in your last post.
Fair play to you for caring enough to comment though.
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They are teenage thugs and should pay for there actions.
They should be made to pay for the damage… they should be made to clean up the mess they made..they should be put in orange jump suits and made to sweep king street on a saturday morning.
And most importantly they should be birched in the royal square. You might…just might stop these teenage criminals re-offending again.
But I doubt it.
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It isn’t a case of “class” it’s a case of “values.”
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No doubt this lot are trembling in their shoes for the slap on the wrist they will receive as punishment. Who knows they may also get sent on a foreign holiday as well to rub salt in the wound as part of their rehabilitation.
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42. I am sure some teeangers are little angels, those will have parents who keep them under control.
Speak to someone in the Honorary Police and they will tell a different story! My OH was in the Honoraries and was totally shocked and horrified at the behaviour of many of the teenagers, and younger he encountered. Most of them would be better behaved if they did not drink.
If people are not prepared to look after their children, who at this age should not be out of the street, we have to ask why did they have them – it is not complusory.
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Some One Young 20
You idiot…..why should we have to lock anywhere up!? You say you have nowhere to go….well, nice one brainiac, your “youth” have just vandalised somewhere they could have gone!!
Hmmmmm 21
What have their backgrounds got to do with anything? They are old enough to know right from wrong and made their own choice to vandalise. Get a grip. I am fed up with you pathetic sympathisers making excuses for them all the time!
I was there 22
Wll show some maturity then and point out the culprits. For once, you cannot blame the police when youn were all at the scene of the crime….get real, life is not a computer game you know!!
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The Jersey Bull @43
In some cases I would tend to agree with you; but hasn’t Jersey already made itself an unfortunate history of stimulating the brains of minors via their backsides ?
Could be sold as a niche tourism opportunity ?
Funny how history tends to repeat itself.
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Love Blades idea..orange jumpsuits while doin community service..The Humiliation has gone out of punishment and borstals and nick are seen as badges of honor by those with that mindset…whereas when society displays it’s disgust at the actions of these hoods on the tribe…it is felt deep down and even hard nosed little blighters would be loathe to see their mates while wearing an orange overall with ‘offender’ written on the back…and before any of you bleeding heart liberal rights nerds gets fired up…I don’t care what you think.we have gone way too soft and are reaping the rewards.
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Well I can freely admit to being a liberal and since I am never far from a computer I suppose I can be nerdy too.
The reason we are loathe to imprison children is that history has shown us once they start down this route, the rate of recidivism is extremely high – the child grows up to be an adult who repeatedly offends. Not to mention the extreme expense of imprisonment compared to community service and probation.
Your instincts or precious Conservative outrage at the vandalisation of a few seats notwithstanding, the children in question have yet to be found guilty of a crime. How about we let a court decide on that before we imagine more and more horrific punishments?
I’m sickened by what I have read here – as for Zoro, fortunately the law doesn’t care what you think; these people are entitled to the same rights as you would if accused with a crime and that’s what they’ll receive.
Yours,
A Proud Liberal.
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Yes Delta that’s why these thugs are like they are because the likes of you and your kind have allowed the “do Gooder” society to exist. I doubt very much that if they were to vandalise your car, home and anything else that you have worked hard for you would have the same opinion when it actually touched your lives.
It’s alright being liberal and pacify these thugs but history also shows that once a thug always a thug. A clear message needs to be sent to the likes of these teens that a zero tolerance policy exists and that action will be taken.
New Yrk city is now one of the safest in the world because one man had the guts to stand up to crime and introduced exactly this policy.
Your way doesn’t work.
His has… its now proven in history zero tolerance works.
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Fantastic well done to the police for a change they have done something wow amazing ! im gobsmacked !
Let this be a warning to all those other “children” who are BORED !! fed up etc ok so I may be being a bit Harsh according to some on here, but as a single parent I am sick of hearing how its because they dont have a dad or oh they are from a single parent family we must make excuses. WELL DONT ! if they commit a crime then they must pay and if none of the little beasts would own up then ok deal with them all the same. Personally and I will get shot down in flames here I BLAME THE PARENTS yes the parents they should know where and what their children are doing this happens all to often and the children get away with a warning or a bit of community service what a joke. And I have to say I like Zoro’s idea only I would have them in PINK jump suites for the boys and ORANGE for the girls ! and yes you can all jump down my throat about that one too.
Its about time parents were taken to task for not looking after their kids its shameful the behaviour I have witnessed both in and out of schools as well. The way some of our teachers are spoken to is disgraceful as well I may as well add. We have lost all control over these kids it comes to something when you have a 7 year old when asked to do something by a teacher turns round and tells them to “F” off as I have head only last term ! and how they happily quote that you cant do anything to them when they decide to take a phone call from the girlfriend in the middle of the lesson !
I know slightly off subject but these kids need to be taught a lesson life does not owe them a living they have to earn it just like they need to earn respect. There has been to much of this softly softly approach its time now to turn the tables and actually do something.
I hasten to add there are a number of very nice and polite teenagers who show respect unfotunatly they are in the minority. I would also comment that most of them also get involved with various activity’s and parents support them obviously this make a difference as parents know where they are and what they are doing and who with !
A PROUD SINGLE MUM OF TWO TEENAGERS THAT DONT ROAM THE STREETS !!!
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Delta # 56. I am also an ex-serivceman and risked my neck in two armed conflicts in different parts of the world. I am inclined to concur with your view, that in many cases it isn’t appropriate to lock up juveniles. However I don’t think we should be soft on offenders either.
The offences committed in this case are probably going to be malicious damage and incitement to commit malicious damage. If they are jointly charged, it maybe that they are charged in concert and complicty. Whilst what they have done is clearly wrong, they aren’t the crimes of the century.
One of the biggest things that these offenders will face is – if after due process – they are convicted, they will be labeled as offenders. They will therefore often be prohibited from pursuing certain careers, even of the Rehabilitation of the Offenders (Jersey) Law later applies to them.
It is highly probable, that in view of their ages, the wider public will be unaware of who they are, as the law will prohibit their names being published.
For many, this may be the one and only time that they’ll commit an offence. Whilst for others, this might be one of many offences they are involved in.
It isn’t right to look for excuses for what they have done and blame society for these problems. I was brought up in the Island just after the occupation. Money was scarce and my parents couldn’t afford to provide me with many of the things youngsters have today. Also the parishes and the States couldn’t afford to provide amusement facilities, or youth clubs that are in some cases available today. We created our own amusement, playing on the sand dunes and in old German bunkers.
I feel that youngsters today have too many poor role models and are influenced by T.V., DVDs and electronic games. This all too often normalises violence and vandalism. Furthermore discipline is lacking in the family and at school and the criminal justice system is discredited, through a lack of direction from those in power.
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Blade – you forgot to add scraping chewing gum off the pavements and picking up dog poo
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Delta – I think the presumption has been “guilty” as they were caught still sitting on the seats (presumably not the broken ones) by the Police.
I’m sure myself and most other posters would advocate a punishment once convicted and not before.
Did any of the children belong to you?
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An excellent post by Blue Knight, I fully concur. Particularly relevant is the final comment re role models; on an almost daily basis we read stories about the so-called celebrities being involved in drugs, violence, et al and it rapidly becomes the norm. Further, plot lines in the soap operas that are adored by so many just keep pushing back the boundaries ever futher.
As mentioned, the education system is lacking in discipline; I don’t agree with caning at school, but then since that has been taken away, it has not been replaced with anything (except “positive re-inforcement” – which is not particularly effective at controlling errant youths).
It’s been said that every generation shocks the one before it. I never thought of myself as an old fuddy-duddy, but I have to say that I weep for the future.
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Hedinda Sands @54 – SICK!
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Thank goodness there are still people who care enough to say no to spineless little yobs who need teaching the hard lesson….Boot camp…made to accept discipline and taught respect for others and themselves…it’s sadly missing in our marshmellow society of.”Oh let’s not be beastly to anyone” well let me tell you when they break into your house ,rob you and rape you…tell me than we are not being too soft.
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We are unfortunately living in a society where schools propagate a “victim culture”. Teachers have to pander to every learner’s little need and problem. The kids merely pick up on the notion that they can get away with anything and blame it on their “problems”. Yet we don’t teach them boundaries and the word “no”. It is societies’ fault that these kids haven’t been taught proper boundaries from the age of 1. However, un-modern this sounds teenagers need to be taught responsibility and good old fashioned boundaries.
As for teenagers having nothing to do. I’m afraid cinemas, museums and youth clubs are just not what kids want. They want to have a few beers with their mates, test out the adult world a little, learn social boundaries. I don’t even think drinking in parks at night is a bad thing, so long as they responsibly put bottles in the bin and don’t get completely off their faces. (And yes this is possible, as I was one of those teenagers not so long ago)!! Let teenagers be teenagers, but let them do it with heavy guidelines, strong advice and a sense of responsibility.
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What is “SICK !” is that it happened – not that I point it out !
Jersey States unfortunate history means that extra care is needed and I would far rather give the pink or orange jump suits a try (if it is proven to work) than let you get busy with your birch wood.
I feel entitled to pull your tail and tweak your nose ring whenever appropriate after your comment regarding victims of childhood abuse #29 at:
http://www.thisisjersey.com/2011/03/03/senator-wins-full-child-abuse-inquiry
“……the false compensation hopes of some baron quantity of flat out losers, all of whom are hell bent upon finding someone to blame for their own weak kneed chronic failures in life – any one, but themselves. …..”
Were my responses there sick too ?
A number of the abused have committed suicide. Some have surviving siblings who have resisted suicide. Your so caring expressed attitudes could be an invitation to suicide for someone if caught at a vulnerable moment. – your comment #29 could not go unchallenged.
Everyone has some sadness and challenge in their life.
Many people have triumphed over adversity. I know little about you JB but I would guess that you have not triumphed over much adversity in your life, having perhaps been born into the privileged land owning classes. you perhaps had a severe but hopefully quite loving upbringing and your family business continues to operate in the comparatively privileged position of having legal protection from foreign import – effectively your dairy business is subsidised by a stealth tax paid primarily paid by families to some of the wealthiest inhabitants of this island.
Should these people take back what is theirs ?
Perhaps less of a Jersey bull and more of a rig ?
Do correct me if I am wrong – I have assumed a lot about you here.
There are youth issues that need sorting but put your birch wood away and contemplate how you might have turned out different under different circumstances. Have you turned out that perfect ? and does your perfect life actually smell of brie?
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It’s not just in Jersey, please look at this from the South Wales Evening Post
: –
“YOBBISH behaviour has again blighted Swansea seafront.”
“After problems with groups of people swearing and boozing on the sands — and relieving themselves in the bushes — now vandals have attacked benches and a pillar on the prom near the Marina.”
“One of the benches was wrenched from its concrete foundations and pushed over and a section of the pillar damaged.”
The attack has been described as “mindless vandalism” by Swansea Council, and comes as police prepare for a busy period on the seafront as visitors — and troublemakers — flock to the area.
A Swansea Council spokesman said: “It’s disappointing that mindless vandals have ripped out this bench at a time when we’re spending millions along with our partners at the Welsh Assembly Government and the European Regional Development Fund on improving the city centre and waterfront.
“We’d urge anyone with information on who may have damaged the benches on the promenade to get in touch with the police.”
Last weekend police were called to the area to deal with intimidating and drunken antisocial behaviour.
Superintendent Phil Davies from South Wales Police, said the force had an operation in place over the Easter period and school summer holidays.
He said: “More people are out and about than usual, and we do have extra patrols, including at beaches. That has been a commitment over the past few years.”
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Those fathers who instill football into their sons & enjoy watching the game should gave up some of their spare time to caretake the football pitches FREE OF CHARGE.
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Head in the sand # 65.There is apparently a lot of self pity expressed in some of your posts. I used to receive corporal punishment at school, in the form of the cane and even a boxing glove on the end of a piece of rope. That was in the 50s and 60s. It was accepted in those days and few of us complained – it was the norm.
I can accept that there is a probablity that children were physically and possibly sexually abused whild they were in care. This didn’t just occur in Jersey, but in many palces throughout the British Isles. I would never condone such unacceptable behaviour and can empathise with the victims of such crimes. The problem I have is with people clinging on to the past and using it as an excuse for their behaviour today. Far better to have a positive attitude and to get on with life.
I don’t know why these teenagers committed maliciious damage and I doubt they’ll be able to fully explain why they did what they did. They point is they had no respect for other people’s property and they need to learn what they did was wrong. Also the public need to see that justice is being done.
I would not propose the return of the birch or the stocks, but society can not afford to be soft on wrongdoing, just because of a person’s background. Crimes are committed by people from all walks of life not just the under privilaged. Please stop looking for excuses – there are none.
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Toastedteacakes
‘Those fathers who instill football into their sons & enjoy watching the game should gave up some of their spare time to caretake the football pitches FREE OF CHARGE.’
Hear hear, Toasty. I’m all for these football activities. They keep all the people I wouldn’t want around me at weekends and odd evenings in one place far away from the rest of us. There they can guffaw, swear, cheer and jeer at every move made by the ball chasing fraternity to their hearts’ content. Maybe even smash the chairs up if that makes them happy.
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P.S. I wish people who put posts on this site had the ability to edit their entries – I have as usual made a few faux pas, caused through poor eyesight and fat fingers. Age doesn’t come by itself.
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68 – “The problem I have is with people clinging on to the past and using it as an excuse for their behaviour today. Far better to have a positive attitude and to get on with life.”
I won’t say what I was originally going to post, but what I will say is that you should do a little research into child psychology and the effects trauma in early life has on the brain. You might find it interesting, and it would hopefully prevent you from posting such upsetting and uneducated statements.
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Blue Knight’I wish people who put posts on this site had the ability to edit their entries – I have as usual made a few faux pas…’
Ooh, I know. Especially not noticing that you have used another name at the same address!
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Astonished # 71. Inappropriate behaviour I endured at school probably affected my life in earlier years, but I learned to cope with it and got on with my life.
If you read my earlier submission, you’ll see that I received physical punishment at school. Indeed the behaviour of some teachers probably resulted in low self esteem in my early life. This didn’t however result in me smashing up other people’s belongings, stealing or committing other crimes. I just learned to cope and developed as I got older.
My hypothesis is that the poor behaviour of many youngsters, is resultant of them being influenced by poor role models and a lack of discipline. I also believe many T.V. soap operas, films, DVDs and electronic games normalise poor behaviour.
If people continually make excuses for bad behaviour, the problems will get worse and not better.
My views aren’t uneducated – they merely differ to yours, so please don’t be so patronising.
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C Le Verdic # 72. How would you know if I’ve used another name under the same e-mail address? Even if I did as you suggest, I am sure I won’t be the first and I won’t be the last. You are of course having a bit of fun and just teasing me.
Astonished # 71. Go on; tell me what you originally wanted to say – if it’s that bad the moderators will deny publication; in any case I’ve got broad shoulders and can accpet criticism. I am responsible for my own behaviour right or wrong and won’t blame it on my past treatment by others.
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Cathy @ 50 wrote “It isn’t a case of “class” it’s a case of “values.”
I agree that “values” are seriously lacking in some of the younger generation nowadays – the result no doubt of a decade of the namby pamby brigade together with persistant poor social education – however having read all of the above posts, it occurred to me that the sort of person who would be likely to commit this ridiculous act of wanton destruction, and similar, would not so much be lacking values as but simply lacking in intelligence!! and whilst this would not necessarily be restricted to the lower classes, it certainly would be more prevalent at that level.
If you compare the obvious level of (il)literacy of those posting above such as (20) some one young, (22) i was there, and (46) sheila, who are the ones likely to be “wicked” for want of a less derogatory term, to that of (42) IsThisTheDailyMail who shows obvious signs of intelligence and education with correct spelling, punctuation and grammar etc., that might go someway to proving my point?
As a rule (although there are going to be exceptions here) those children who have a lower intelligence find school, and learning, difficult, subsequently falling behind the rest of the class, so they don’t pay attention, become bored and more importantly – angry – more likely to be rebellious and destructive. On the other hand, those that find learning easier, and perhaps even enjoyable, are likely to be more content, involved in other activities, and therefore less likely to be bored, angry and destructive.
That said – what real hope is there for the future?
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Get them in the army if they want to destroy things – they can try destroying the enemy then. Anyone who does this kind of thing should automatically qualify for defending the UK.
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Take off those rose tinted specs, you bunch of old moaners. “It never happened in my day! Blah blah blah…”
Don’t you remember the Beaumont cannon getting painted (regularly), Hydrangea avenue getting ripped up, schools, property vandalized etc. etc. Vandalism is one of the oldest crimes in the book.
In fact, in comparison to the vandalism in Jersey caused by property developers with the tacit agreement of the likes of Cohen and Ozouf as planning ministers, what these children have done is trivial.
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I’ve just read in the Telegraph that students at Cambridge University, burned the Union flag during the Royal Wedding on Friday. I suppose Astonished will tell us this was due to their underprivilaged upbringing and it is the fault of society and not the individuals involved.
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73 – My issue was that you said what you said in reference to physical and sexual abuse. Do you still stand by what you said, and that basically those children should suck it up and get on with their lives?
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Blue Knight ‘You are of course having a bit of fun and just teasing me.’
Just empathising with your embarassment and admiring your skilfully evasive response, not that one was needed of course.
However it does make me wonder about the way you casually brush off the poster who is fairly convinced that you are called Dave!
As you have sometimes signed ‘Sentinel du Nuit’in the past, it has crossed my mind that you could perhaps be a French Knight but the chances of getting a straight admission or denial are as remote as the far corner of St Ouen’s!
Not that it matters a hoot but Jersey is a small world and the detective work can be fun.
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I would be interested to find out want our new Chief of Police thinks we need to do to resolve the youth issue. I am sure they had the same problem in his old position.
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Sir
One despairs at the apparent inability of the authorities to instil sufficient discipline into the younger generation. Moreover one tires of advocating on such occasions the reintroduction of the cat o’ nine tails into schools, public floggings, a dusk to dawn curfew for all those under 21, and most pertinently the sterilisation of the most degenerate offenders, as well as their parents and siblings.
That said, is it little surprise to witness such lawlessness when so many in positions of influence behave so disgracefully?
One specifically refers to teachers who made such an sickening spectacle of themselves in St Helier last year, to local ‘bloggers’ who habitually impugn the integrity of dedicated public servants, such as the island’s Home Affairs minister, and to renegade politicians who believe they can abuse the legal process at will. Is it any surprise then that when faced with such ‘role models’ so many confused youths choose to misbehave in such an appalling manner?
One calls on Chief Minister Le Sueur to listen to the late Hughie Green’s ‘Stand Up And Be Counted’. And then to proceed to the States to make his own appeal to sanity and reason and call a halt to the state of anarchy and degeneracy that prevails on our streets so that once again the traditional Jersey values of decency, fair play and the rule of law can reign supreme.
Proud Jerseyman
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In answer to ‘Is this the Daily Mail?’ can I just say, I used to be a teenager, I wasn’t an angel by any means, but the main difference here is, some of the parents of the teenagers concerned won’t even believe or admit that their teenager was involved. This is because, unlike when we were young, the parents can’t be bothered to deal with the issue so it’s easier not to believe it. The few parents I know personally in this case haven’t even grounded their kids, let alone punish them in any way at all. Some of them were even arguing with the police saying that their kids shouldn’t be kept in the police station overnight. I know for a fact my Mother would have been in full agreement with the police, hoping it would teach me a lesson. Some of these teenagers have been taught no lesson at all, as they were joking about it on facebook straight after the event. Out of sight, out of mind for most of the parents concerned, if these teenagers had enough discipline at home they wouldn’t have found it so amusing to do what they did. No doubt our taxes will be wasted on paying for the overnight stay in the police station, the forensic work carried out to see who caused the damage and who knows what else? The parents should have to pay for the damage – but I’m sure they won’t. Don’t blame social upbringing and the failings in education. I could rant on for pages and pages about the deprived childhood I had due to lack of money and being made homeless due to a violent father,and the living in awful accomodation when I split up from my child’s violent father – at the end of the day, these kids have committed a crime, should be punished and shouldn’t be allowed to blame society etc.
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67 – Toastedteacakes
Those fathers who instil reading into their sons should care take libraries FREE OF CHARGE
Those fathers who instil music into their sons should care take concert halls FREE OF CHARGE
Those fathers who instil architecture into their sons should care take all buildings FREE OF CHARGE
Those fathers who instil sailing into their sons should care take the harbour FREE OF CHARGE
Those fathers who instil golf into their sons should care take golf courses FREE OF CHARGE
Unbelievable….
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78 – Blue Knight – is it due to YOUR underprivileged upbringing that you can’t read my posts properly? When did I ever say this was down to a poor upbringing on the young peoples part? I personally believe it is down 100% to parenting. My problem, as I said already, was that YOU claimed that physical and sexual abuse was something people should just get over and stop blaming things on. You really think someone can just put on a smile and forget about things like that? Hence asking you to do a little research on child psychology. You never know, you might actually learn something.
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Astonished # 85. I told you I would never condone abuse against children. I will never forget the bad experiences of my childhood, but I can put them to one side and get on with life. I won’t use these issues as an excuse for my many mistakes.
There is no point in continuing our debate as we are misinterpreting one another’s messages.
We have moved away from the original news item which was about malicious damage. There can be no excuse for what occurred, no matter what background the offenders have or what their previous experience has been.
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I whole heartily agree! There is no excuse whatsoever. Except boredom of course, because when I’m bored I always trash other peoples property causing a thousand pounds worth of damage.
/sarcasm.
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No.85 That’s one heck of a sensible reply and I wholeheartedly agree. Would appreciate a little more culture though.
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Astonished # 88. I probably deserve your sarcasm and regret my earlier submission. In retrospect I realise that abuse in childhood can scar people for life. I guess some can handle it better than others – I meant no offence to anyone.
The malicious damage caused by these youngsters, whilst fairly serious, wasn’t the crime of the century. I hope they can grow out of misbehaving like this.
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Three step programme:
1. Name them
2. Recoup all monies and legal fees – from the parents if necessary
3. Shame them – the stocks, birch etc hard labour preferably that way they can improve the island.
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Aww, Blue Knight, I was trying to be funny! My way of calling a truce!
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Thank you “Astonished”.
I think I had judged where Blue Knight is at on his journey, so I was not astonished – only mildly surprised, as BK has disappointed on many occasions.
BK does not read MY posts properly – I never said that there was any excuse. Anyone (least of all a capable policeman?) would have noticed that @66 I was waving a red rag at “The Jersey Bull” (rig) not lighting the old “blue touchpaper”.
I should very much like to have sidestepped and completed that botched emasculation operation personally. However my thanks go to “Born Warrior” #58 at http://www.thisisjersey.com/2011/04/30/school-grant-cuts-are-a-kneejerk-reaction
for pointing out that much of what “The Jersey Bull” posts on these pages is cut & pasted from
!!! ULTRA RIGHT WING AMERICAN WEBSITES !!! e.g.
http://laiglesforum.com/category/crime/child-abuse
Blue Knight : Regarding the “self pity expressed my posts” -IT’S A FAIR COP guv.
but “SAD SYNDROME” (loss of sibling) explained @63 at :
http://www.thisisjersey.com/2011/03/03/senator-wins-full-child-abuse-inquiry/
(& repeated here @66) periodically makes me cry.
In future I will try to be a stronger, better person.
This is good sport for all BUT it is certainly not a game !!
“Truce” is good but the war will NOT be over until we have Truth and Reconciliation.
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