July 23, 1954

A 13-YEAR-old boy, who was said by his solicitor to have "been torn between the wrath of two families", was placed on probation for two years and ordered to pay 30s costs at Redditch juvenile court last Thursday.

He was found guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on his next door neighbour, whom he was stated to have hit across an ear with a stick.

Superintendent WD Gibson said the boy had leant over a fence and struck the man, who was mowing his lawn, causing two wounds, which were not serious.

Constable Cox was called and the boy's father said: "I am fed up with that swine next door."

The boy's mother said: "It was only a little bit of a stick he hit him with, and anyhow he (the neighbour) deserved it.

"He is always shouting at my children."

Superintendent Gibson said Constable Cox cautioned the boy and asked him to sign the caution in his notebook.

The boy picked up the notebook and threw it across the table, saying: "I can't read that scribble."

The next day the neighbour said there had been an argument between the two families.

The boy struck him across the ear and it had bled for six hours.

After the magistrates had found the case proved, Constable Cox said the boy was surly and a hardened liar who had no respect for anyone.

He was a bully to other children.