Boy in court for throwing sausage

[chip!]

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSL2225289020070822

LONDON (Reuters) - A 12-year-old British boy appeared in court Wednesday charged with assault for throwing a sausage at a pensioner, police said.

The boy's mother described the decision to charge her son as "an absolute joke," although police said they had no choice.

The youth, who can't be named, was arrested after a 74-year-old man reported him to police for throwing a stone in Manchester, northern England.

The object turned out to be a cocktail sausage.

"Charging was the only option because the boy had previously been issued with three reprimands on separate occasions," a Greater Manchester Police spokeswoman said.

Police and prosecutors have launched a joint review of the case after a judge at Manchester Youth Court reportedly urged them to reconsider.

"If he has done what was suggested it is very bad behavior," District Judge Tim Devas was reported as saying in the Manchester Evening News. "But is it in the public interest to prosecute a 12-year-old boy who threw a sausage?"

The boy's mother said her son was worried he might be sent to prison.

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hahaha.. this is ridiculous! should a 12 year old kid with a prior history of bad behavior really be sent to jail for throwing a sausage? how about assign him some after school community service or something??

[Quantum]

Wasn't this immediately thrown out of court?

[chip!]

not sure, i would hope so...    can anyone confirm that? i havent found anything online more than that... other than another article that mentioned the child has a 'learning disablilty'.

[Quantum]

This was the news story as of the Thursday 23rd:

"Oliver Gardner, the boy's solicitor, branded the decision to prosecute the case as a "complete waste of time".

Tim Devas, the district judge, questioned whether it was in the public interest to pursue the case.

The boy pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said Greater Manchester Police made the decision to charge the boy without consulting them. "

And I'm sure on Friday / Saturday morning I heard someone talking about it and saying it got thrown out, but I could be wrong.

[billyfridge]

Another disrespectful young a**hole growing up, there are plenty of them around where i live in Manchester.
Recently a man was assaulted by a group of these young thugs,he went outside his house to stop them from interfering with his car, they knocked him down, and put him in hospital with serious injuries. The police can't find out who they are, because they all wear hooded jackets.

[texasboy]

Its happening everywhere as billy says. Another example.

Stoning father trial - jury out
 A jury at the Old Bailey has retired to consider verdicts in the case of five boys accused of killing a 67-year-old man as he played cricket with his son.

Ernest Norton had been bowling with his 17-year-old son at Erith leisure centre in Bexley, Kent, in February 2006 when he was subjected to a volley of abuse and a hail of sticks and stones, the court heard.

Mr Norton suffered a fatal heart attack, collapsed and died in a tennis court at the leisure centre after being struck in the head at least twice, jurors were told.

The defendants, aged 12 to 14, all admit being at the scene and some admit to throwing sticks and stones.

All five defendants deny manslaughter and violent disorder. They claim they did not mean to hurt Mr Norton.

The court was told that none of the five had ever been in trouble with the police.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

Its getting worse.
cheers

[texasboy]

An update on my last post

Stoning - guilty verdict
 Five boys aged from 12 to 14 have been found guilty of manslaughter after hurling stones at a man while he played cricket with his son.

Ernest Norton, 67, had been bowling with his 17-year-old son at Erith leisure centre in Bexley, Kent, in February 2006 when he was subjected to a volley of abuse and a hail of sticks and stones.

Two stones, one the size of half a brick, hit Mr Norton on the temple and fractured his cheekbone. He collapsed to the ground with a heart attack.

As he lay dying on the tennis court, his wife rushed to his side, holding his hand and calling his name.

The youngest of the boys who killed him was just aged 10 at the time.

Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Damaris Lakin said: "This case highlights the need for young people in gangs who engage in anti-social behaviour to accept responsibility for the consequences of their criminal activities.

"Ernest Norton was enjoying a game of cricket with his 17-year-old son James and as a direct result of the actions of this gang, that game ended in his tragic death."

She praised the courage of young witnesses who had given evidence against the boys.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.

cheers