ERNEST Webb (10), living with his parents in George Street, was charged with stealing a pair of boots, value 2s 9d, the property of George Frederick Avery, Evesham Street, on July 1.

Pc Stanley was on duty when he saw defendant standing by Mr Avery's shop window.

Defendant took hold of a pair of boots which were hanging outside the shop and, after looking to see if he was being watched, put them under his jacket and ran down Littleworth.

The policeman followed and brought the lad back to the shop, where the boots were identified by Mr Avery.

Defendant was taken to the police station and later his mother came to the station and was told to take him home.

Superintendent Hayes said for three or four years defendant had been in the habit of sleeping out, and had been neglected by his parents.

They had brought him to the police station and said they had no control over him and the parents had been also summoned several times by the education authority in respect to the boy.

He (the superintendent) could not help thinking the parents were somewhat to blame and he thought they should be bound over and made to know that they were responsible for the boy's future.

The only object in bringing the case forward was to prevent the little fellow adopting a career of crime.

Defendant's mother said she had nine children and she indignantly denied neglecting any of them.

Defendant was discharged, and the bench administered a sharp caution to the parents to take better care of him in the future.