Warning as gifts and cards taken (From Wiltshire Times)

the parents of this child should be prosecuted ,they are responsible for him,doing this to other parents will bring down anti social behaviour

I hope his parents are proud of the little thief. Parents should be held responsible until they are 16, like the above states this might make parents actually think about the way they bring up their children teaching them right and wrong.

hold your horses!

boy of just 13 said to have bragged of committing an offence.
he was questioned and given a reprimand.
i don't know but it seems likely that only bragging was involved.

the two previous commenters have, with no knowledge or evidence, already found him guilty of a crime, branded him thief and made comments about the parents.

beetawix wrote:
hold your horses!

boy of just 13 said to have bragged of committing an offence.
he was questioned and given a reprimand.
i don't know but it seems likely that only bragging was involved.

the two previous commenters have, with no knowledge or evidence, already found him guilty of a crime, branded him thief and made comments about the parents.

"And in Melksham a 13-year-old boy was also reprimanded last week after he was caught tampering with the mail."

No - if you read the article it looks as though this little darling did some bragging before he was caught.

Glad he got caught - hope the humiliation puts him off a repeat performance.

yes i did read it. tampering with the mail could simply mean poking a stick in the postbox and the article does not specify that any mail was removed, nor who 'caught him'.
Therefore without any facts it is wrong to call him a thief.

Questioned and given an official repromand, kind of suggests guilty of attempted theft. Especially after bragging about opening the letters to look for money. Little angel.

beetawix wrote:
hold your horses!

boy of just 13 said to have bragged of committing an offence.
he was questioned and given a reprimand.
i don't know but it seems likely that only bragging was involved.

the two previous commenters have, with no knowledge or evidence, already found him guilty of a crime, branded him thief and made comments about the parents.

Search Google. A reprimand is given to someone who admits an offence http://en.wikipedia.
org/wiki/Reprimand

yes indeed, but do you know which offence?

beetawix wrote:
yes indeed, but do you know which offence?

"removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand."
He was probably given a reprimand for interfering with the royal mail - because the little thiref may have been caught before he could steal anything - or they can't prove he has stolen anything because there's not enough evidence.
Again - glad the thieving little ratbag was ratted on and caught.

Trying to work out what a thiref is, Something to do with an after dinner brandy, perhaps.

notscot wrote:

beetawix wrote:
yes indeed, but do you know which offence?

"removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand."
He was probably given a reprimand for interfering with the royal mail - because the little thiref may have been caught before he could steal anything - or they can't prove he has stolen anything because there's not enough evidence.
Again - glad the thieving little ratbag was ratted on and caught.

The article doesn't say that Christmas cards were actually removed, only that the boy bragged that he had done so. Bragging isn't an offence as far as I am aware.

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

beetawix wrote:
yes indeed, but do you know which offence?

"removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand."
He was probably given a reprimand for interfering with the royal mail - because the little thiref may have been caught before he could steal anything - or they can't prove he has stolen anything because there's not enough evidence.
Again - glad the thieving little ratbag was ratted on and caught.

The article doesn't say that Christmas cards were actually removed, only that the boy bragged that he had done so. Bragging isn't an offence as far as I am aware.

You don't get a reprimand for bragging.

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

beetawix wrote:
yes indeed, but do you know which offence?

"removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand."
He was probably given a reprimand for interfering with the royal mail - because the little thiref may have been caught before he could steal anything - or they can't prove he has stolen anything because there's not enough evidence.
Again - glad the thieving little ratbag was ratted on and caught.

The article doesn't say that Christmas cards were actually removed, only that the boy bragged that he had done so. Bragging isn't an offence as far as I am aware.

You don't get a reprimand for bragging.

You might if the police thought your bragging was such that it could lead to wasted police time.

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

beetawix wrote:
yes indeed, but do you know which offence?

"removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand."
He was probably given a reprimand for interfering with the royal mail - because the little thiref may have been caught before he could steal anything - or they can't prove he has stolen anything because there's not enough evidence.
Again - glad the thieving little ratbag was ratted on and caught.

The article doesn't say that Christmas cards were actually removed, only that the boy bragged that he had done so. Bragging isn't an offence as far as I am aware.

You don't get a reprimand for bragging.

You might if the police thought your bragging was such that it could lead to wasted police time.

No - you wouldn't.

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

beetawix wrote:
yes indeed, but do you know which offence?

"removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand."
He was probably given a reprimand for interfering with the royal mail - because the little thiref may have been caught before he could steal anything - or they can't prove he has stolen anything because there's not enough evidence.
Again - glad the thieving little ratbag was ratted on and caught.

The article doesn't say that Christmas cards were actually removed, only that the boy bragged that he had done so. Bragging isn't an offence as far as I am aware.

You don't get a reprimand for bragging.

You might if the police thought your bragging was such that it could lead to wasted police time.

No - you wouldn't.

Oh, ok then.

you might for actually wasting police time.

beetawix wrote:
you might for actually wasting police time.

"And in Melksham a 13-year-old boy was also reprimanded last week after he was caught tampering with the mail."
He wasn't reprimanded for wasting police time.
The police rarely apply the offence of wasting police time.

All in all a rather confusing article. Was the boy caught red-handed tamperinng with the mail - or was he reported to the police because he had bragged about doing it?

Also, what exactly is a seasonal theft?

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:
All in all a rather confusing article. Was the boy caught red-handed tamperinng with the mail - or was he reported to the police because he had bragged about doing it?

Also, what exactly is a seasonal theft?

He bragged about what he was doing - one of the people he bragged to reported him - he was then watched & caught.
Seasonal theft is taking envelopes that appear to contain cards and/or gift cards and packages that appear to be gifts - mainly handwritten - in the hope that they will contain items that can be easily sold/used.

notscot wrote:

beetawix wrote:
you might for actually wasting police time.

"And in Melksham a 13-year-old boy was also reprimanded last week after he was caught tampering with the mail."
He wasn't reprimanded for wasting police time.
The police rarely apply the offence of wasting police time.

notscot you have much more information than the Wiltshire Times have provided.

beetawix wrote:

notscot wrote:

beetawix wrote:
you might for actually wasting police time.

"And in Melksham a 13-year-old boy was also reprimanded last week after he was caught tampering with the mail."
He wasn't reprimanded for wasting police time.
The police rarely apply the offence of wasting police time.

notscot you have much more information than the Wiltshire Times have provided.

In actual fact I don't. But when you take the info provided and ask someone a couple of questions - it's surprising how much they'll tell you - without addressing a specific case.
Wating police time - apparently reserved generally for people wo make false claims about crimes against themselves - or constant misuse of the 999 call system - or false claims about having evidence/information in ongoing investigations.
Cautions are given - usually to those who have no previous convictions (either at all or in relation to the particular offence in question) where the suspect ADMITS to the offence (this being tampering with the mail - trying, or succeeding - to steal from mailboxes) and gets an ear-bashing from a Sgt or Inspector. And although it WILL be on "record" for some time - allowing the police and courts to have a clearer picture of previous conduct if the individual re-offends - the caution is a rap over the knuckles rather than a criminal record. Much more appropriate than a court appearance - in some cases.
Thank you Wiltspol enquiry line.

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:
All in all a rather confusing article. Was the boy caught red-handed tamperinng with the mail - or was he reported to the police because he had bragged about doing it?

Also, what exactly is a seasonal theft?

He bragged about what he was doing - one of the people he bragged to reported him - he was then watched & caught.
Seasonal theft is taking envelopes that appear to contain cards and/or gift cards and packages that appear to be gifts - mainly handwritten - in the hope that they will contain items that can be easily sold/used.

I will reiterate beetawix's observation that notscot is more down with what's going on than the waged Wilts Times reporters. There is nothing in the article that tells us the postbox was staked out and the thieving little urchin nabbed in flagrante delicto. So much time commenting would have been saved had we known.

Might I suggest the editor of the Wiltshire Times gets on the blower forthwith and hires notscot as a roving reporter and sack all the half-baked hacks who are currently giving us half stories.

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:
All in all a rather confusing article. Was the boy caught red-handed tamperinng with the mail - or was he reported to the police because he had bragged about doing it?

Also, what exactly is a seasonal theft?

He bragged about what he was doing - one of the people he bragged to reported him - he was then watched & caught.
Seasonal theft is taking envelopes that appear to contain cards and/or gift cards and packages that appear to be gifts - mainly handwritten - in the hope that they will contain items that can be easily sold/used.

I will reiterate beetawix's observation that notscot is more down with what's going on than the waged Wilts Times reporters. There is nothing in the article that tells us the postbox was staked out and the thieving little urchin nabbed in flagrante delicto. So much time commenting would have been saved had we known.

Might I suggest the editor of the Wiltshire Times gets on the blower forthwith and hires notscot as a roving reporter and sack all the half-baked hacks who are currently giving us half stories.

"And in Melksham a 13-year-old boy was also reprimanded last week after he was caught tampering with the mail.
The boy, who had bragged about removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand.
Opening someone else’s mail is a criminal offence, potentially punishable by up to to two years imprisonment."
What was it you were unable to glean from the above? You didn't think a couple of pertinent questions might assist in a little more understanding of the situation? (Or if you did - did you just sit & bleat because it wasn't handed to you on a plate?)
Might I suggest the Daily Mail for future reading? No independant thought required - the Mail staff report, judge & condemn in one. They don't encourage dissenting or questioning opinion, either.

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:
All in all a rather confusing article. Was the boy caught red-handed tamperinng with the mail - or was he reported to the police because he had bragged about doing it?

Also, what exactly is a seasonal theft?

He bragged about what he was doing - one of the people he bragged to reported him - he was then watched & caught.
Seasonal theft is taking envelopes that appear to contain cards and/or gift cards and packages that appear to be gifts - mainly handwritten - in the hope that they will contain items that can be easily sold/used.

I will reiterate beetawix's observation that notscot is more down with what's going on than the waged Wilts Times reporters. There is nothing in the article that tells us the postbox was staked out and the thieving little urchin nabbed in flagrante delicto. So much time commenting would have been saved had we known.

Might I suggest the editor of the Wiltshire Times gets on the blower forthwith and hires notscot as a roving reporter and sack all the half-baked hacks who are currently giving us half stories.

"And in Melksham a 13-year-old boy was also reprimanded last week after he was caught tampering with the mail.
The boy, who had bragged about removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand.
Opening someone else’s mail is a criminal offence, potentially punishable by up to to two years imprisonment."
What was it you were unable to glean from the above? You didn't think a couple of pertinent questions might assist in a little more understanding of the situation? (Or if you did - did you just sit & bleat because it wasn't handed to you on a plate?)
Might I suggest the Daily Mail for future reading? No independant thought required - the Mail staff report, judge & condemn in one. They don't encourage dissenting or questioning opinion, either.

I nearly got in at Hendon.

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:

notscot wrote:

Mrs Donnyfly wrote:
All in all a rather confusing article. Was the boy caught red-handed tamperinng with the mail - or was he reported to the police because he had bragged about doing it?

Also, what exactly is a seasonal theft?

He bragged about what he was doing - one of the people he bragged to reported him - he was then watched & caught.
Seasonal theft is taking envelopes that appear to contain cards and/or gift cards and packages that appear to be gifts - mainly handwritten - in the hope that they will contain items that can be easily sold/used.

I will reiterate beetawix's observation that notscot is more down with what's going on than the waged Wilts Times reporters. There is nothing in the article that tells us the postbox was staked out and the thieving little urchin nabbed in flagrante delicto. So much time commenting would have been saved had we known.

Might I suggest the editor of the Wiltshire Times gets on the blower forthwith and hires notscot as a roving reporter and sack all the half-baked hacks who are currently giving us half stories.

"And in Melksham a 13-year-old boy was also reprimanded last week after he was caught tampering with the mail.
The boy, who had bragged about removing Christmas cards from a fully-stocked postbox in Beanacre Road, and opening them to search for money, was reported to police. He was questioned and given an official reprimand.
Opening someone else’s mail is a criminal offence, potentially punishable by up to to two years imprisonment."
What was it you were unable to glean from the above? You didn't think a couple of pertinent questions might assist in a little more understanding of the situation? (Or if you did - did you just sit & bleat because it wasn't handed to you on a plate?)
Might I suggest the Daily Mail for future reading? No independant thought required - the Mail staff report, judge & condemn in one. They don't encourage dissenting or questioning opinion, either.

I nearly got in at Hendon.

Just a tad too dense, eh?

following a series of seasonal thefts....

seasonal theft has been discussed here, but do two reported offences constitute a series?

Seasonal theft = stealing christmas cards, chortle! Not just some stupid title made up by a wannabe Sun reporter then?