Boy, 12, charged with assault after throwing cocktail sausage in 'Just William' prank

 

Last updated at 16:59pm on 22nd August 2007 A 12-year-old boy has been brought before the courts for throwing a cocktail sausage at a neighbour

 

District Judge Tim Devas compared the incident to a story from boys' adventure book Just William.

 

The case has been brought before Manchester City Magistrate's Court

 

 

 

 

A boy of 12 has been hauled before a court and charged with assault - after throwing a sausage at an elderly neighbour.

 

The boy, who cannot be named, was accused of throwing the cocktail sausage at his neighbour, hitting him on the shoulder.

When the boy appeared at a youth court in Manchester, the judge said he couldn't believe the case had been brought before him and questioned the decision to take legal action.

The boy's lawyer said the decision to prosecute "beggars belief".

The boy entered a not guilty plea and it is understood the case has already cost several thousand pounds.

District Judge Tim Devas adjourned the case and urged the Crown Prosecution Service to reconsider.

He compared the incident to a story from boys' adventure book Just William.

William was a mischievous schoolboy who often found himself in trouble for minor instances of misbehaviour.

The judge said: "I was brought up in the era of Just William. You may not remember it but this incident sounds similar.

"Clearly there are certain things that should be done with a 12-year-old and you shouldn't be bringing them into the court system unless it's absolutely necessary.

"If he has done what was suggested it is very bad behaviour. But is it in the public interest to prosecute a 12-year-old boy who threw a sausage?"

The alleged incident is said to have taken place on August 11 in Wythenshawe, Manchester, when the victim was walking home after visiting a pub.

He claims that after a disagreement the boy threw the sausage, which hit him on the shoulder.

His mother, who was by his side in court, said he was unable to sleep on the night before the case and "worried sick that he would be sent to prison".

She said she was furious at seeing her son "dragged into court for something like this".

The mother added: "It's beyond belief. An absolute joke, and I'm disgusted by it.

"The lad has been in bits panicking about it."

Defence lawyer Oliver Gardner also criticised the move. He said: "It's crazy - they are criminalising children.

"Where is the discretion or logic on the police's behalf when they charge a 12-year-old with assault with a cocktail sausage?

"It beggars belief that they have put this boy through the trauma of the criminal justice system, locking him up at the police station and then hauling him before the court.

"Where is the sense of such an exercise?" Prosecutor Dianne Oliver said she would take the case to her superiors who would review the charge.

That boy has to be punished hard.

 

First you allow him off free for throwing a sausage, then you will be allowing him to walk free after 2 days for murdering someone to get drugs.