TEN-YEAR-OLD TERROR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3369, 8 November 1911, Page 8

TEN-YEAR-OLD TERROR.

A bright boy of ten, though he looks younger because he is small for his age, has just provided a. third shock for his parents, the Bench, and the police in London. His escapades may be set out thus: 1. Stole, according to charge at Bow Street Juvenile Court, the waistcoat, containing watch and money, of a clerk bathing in the Serpentine. 2. Made his escape from the remand home through feigning illness ; returned to the bank of the Serpentine, and was there captured. 3. Sent back to the home by the Bench, and again broke out by climbing a 9ft wall surmounted by spiked railings. Profited by experience, and has not since been seen. The last exploit of Joseph Lester was made known to the court a few weeks back. When the lad was first charged lie was already on probation in connection with a previous charge of stealing money, and his father, a hawker, living at Notting Dale, described him as a “thorough scoundrel” and quite beyond all control. He was sent back to the. remand home, the last time, until arrangements had been made for his reception in a reformatory. A description of the elusive Joseph has been circulated throughout the Metropolitan Police district.