Riot trials; unbelievable!

Those police and court officials are a bunch of heartless savages.

Harsh and unfair comment. If I remember rightly, you expressed disgust at the riots and the rioters, like most of us. So, why when the law, which is there to protect all of us, are you so angry? It is not the fault of the Police that a 12 year old child is out at night, endangering himself and others, nor of the judiciary.

nanna8

Poor kid has probably never had any boundaries. How can a kid of that age be charged ? Makes no sense to me. Why not some form of rehabilitation ? Those police and court officials are a bunch of heartless savages.

His Mum will most probably have to go on a parenting course.

Read through the guidelines and not sure whether they can do that tho it seems like a good idea.

I imagine social services will intervene and suggest it’s in the child’s best interests for his Mum to go on a parenting course. There are also ‘prevent’ resources that will become accessible to the family

We have an old friend, now 80ish, who tom catted around in the 60s and fathered children but has no idea of how many. This took place before we knew him.

A younger friend (60ish) was talking about the 12 year old court case and said that there was one woman whose 4 children went to the school where she was teaching. Each child had a different surname.

It's happened since Adam and Eve! whilst some parents object to contraception being taught in schools nothing will change.

What is the law surrounding the mother? The judge has summoned her to appear when sentence is passed - can she be compelled to do this? Would she be charged with neglect if she failed to appear? We don't know if the boy was left in the care of someone else - I assume that he would be in care now if he'd been left alone, so I assume that the uncle or another adult was looking after him, which is legal.

I'm making no excuses for anyone concerned, incidentally. We don't know what the circumstances are. I'm just wondering about the legal situation as regards the mother. And the father if he is not in jail, as was suggested upthread.

I've googled and failed to find the answer to this.

I may be wrong but, I expect the Judge in the criminal proceedings can indeed summons the mother to appear when sentence is passed. If she fails to do so, that may be contempt. I once saw a Judge send a barrister to the cells for contempt -his offence was to allow his mobile phone to ring during a hearing.

if she has been summoned to appear in court she will be arrested if she ignores a summons.

In my professional life I had, on occasion, to go into prisons. Only 3 times but they are awful places - not the holiday camps the media would have you believe.

Whilst there are some very nasty people in prison there are many who should be in MH facilities and many that have never had a chance in life. Dragged up, left to their own devices and without any guidance, care or hope. This boy will undoubtedly end up in the system and will probably father children that go the same way.

I don’t know the answers but lack of responsible parenting plays a huge role. Some parents couldn’t care less what their kids are doing as long as it doesn’t interfere with their enjoyment.

Thanks for the explanations. I didn't know the rules regarding summonses, but I suppose it must be the same as requiring someone to stand as a witness.

I can't imagine not being there for your own 12 year old, but wasn't aware of the legal position.

Bad parenting is nothing new but isn't it time the school curriculum was changed to bring it into the modern world as it is obvious that some people just don't know how to conduct themselves. I suggest the following subjects as examples: healthy eating and exercise, taking care of your teeth, managing money, avoiding addiction, the environment and how to look after it, responsible driving, taking care of children, care of animals, respecting older people and so on.... subjects like this are far more relevant than some of the rubbish that children are taught today. People need to learn to be responsible.

thanks for your post tickingbird, even more welcome as in my experience, you’re a straight talker. I’ve been in many prisons, including Secure Units where serious young offenders are held and prisons holding dangerous offenders. I completely agree, many offenders need mental health facilities. There are also the minority - very dangerous people, an even smaller minority of offenders who should never be released.
Many prisoners could have community based sentences.
Our youth justice system needs an overhaul, like many areas of public service
We need to return to investing in early years - Blair had one thing right Every Child Matters

I definitely see it as a failure of society if a 12 year old is given a custodial sentence. Problems should be picked up before it gets to that stage - it's very sad if not, and custody should be a very last resort.

The Judge was very unhappy. Thanked the boys uncle for coming with him and told the boy boys like him need their mothers with them. She indicated it was now more serious because of mums actions
We don’t know this boys history but it’s hard not to speculate thst a mother who’d fly off to Ibiza rather than go to court to support her young boy isn’t likely to set the boundaries the Judge would expect if non custodial is possible

Secure Accommodation can sometimes provide the first occasion when three meals a day, full time education, sport and structured leisure activities have been provided

That's so, so sad. If he could be found foster care it would be so much better, and less likely to influence his future. Are there foster parents who are trained to take children like him and keep them on the straight and narrow - sort of a halfway house?

Yes there are Doodledog, specialist foster carers who take young people in an on remand basis.

That’s good to hear. It’s not something I’d be good at, but I’m pleased there are those who are willing to take it on.

JaneJudge

nanna8

Poor kid has probably never had any boundaries. How can a kid of that age be charged ? Makes no sense to me. Why not some form of rehabilitation ? Those police and court officials are a bunch of heartless savages.

His Mum will most probably have to go on a parenting course.

so that was the outcome and a fine

That’s good JaneJudge thanks for letting us know.

This 12 year old is a non school attender. His order and mums parenting course might improve his life chances -we hope

It he needs a proper assessment so his needs are met and an appropriate school found

He does and I wonder how long he’s been out of education. I knew one 13 year old permanently excluded at 6 and never been back

Iam64

He does and I wonder how long he’s been out of education. I knew one 13 year old permanently excluded at 6 and never been back

Loads of children are let down 😞

A bit late to send on a parenting course imho.