THRASHING LADS, EXETER, 1897

 The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 3rd April 1897 reported that:

"at the Exeter Police-court yesterday....lads, of ages ranging from 12 to 14, were summoned on the information of P.C. Lewis for playing football on the Iron Bridge on March 30.  The Chief Constable said that all the defendants were seen by P.C. Lewis playing football on the Iron Bridge.  He had received a large number of complaints, and he felt bound to summon the lads.  They all pleaded guilty.  

"The parents of four of the lads came forward and said that the boys had been thrashed.  The mother of one of the lads said her husband had promised to thrash the boy again if he were fined.  The Chairman said the Bench were of the opinion that the parents were largely responsible and they should exercise greater control.  In consideration of the boys having been punished by their parents they would be let off with a fine of 1s each, to include costs."

There were five of them, living in Exe Lane and Lower North-street.  I think it must have been the Chief Constable to whom the many complaints were addressed.  It is not made clear.  It seems somewhat unfair not to have warned the 'lads' of the likely outcome of their fun and games on the Iron Bridge but I suspect it was thought necessary to make of them an example to others.

The parents were to blame, said the Bench,  but it was accepted that the lads must be thrashed as a matter of course and at least one of the boys was in for a second thrashing.  A razor-strop was the favourite tickler.