Thugs murder a good man

Five boys, some as young as 12, were given custodial sentences today for stoning to death pensioner Ernest Norton as he played cricket with his son, James.

Amazingly, some were as young as 10 when they began pelting Mr Norton with stones and pieces of wood. He died of a heart attack after being struck twice on the head and face with stones, one rock the size of half a brick shattered his cheekbone. He died in front of his son.

The judge Warwick McKinnon described it as "a vicious, unprovoked attack". He told them: "Your behaviour was utterly disgraceful and criminally irresponsible. No sentence I can pass can restore the human life so needlessly taken by this mindless display of violence."

All the boys, who were found guilty of manslaughter in August, were given two years' detention. They are now appealing against their conviction.

Of course they are and some sappy social worker will say that they behaved in this appalling way because they were deprived. And no doubt in the borstal they will have access to the internet, computer games, television and pool tables.

Detective Chief Inspector Clive Heys said the case was a tragedy for Norton's family and for the boys themselves. "They will have a stain on their characters for the rest of their life," he said.

Who gives a toss about the boys? They had a choice in their actions. Mr Norton did not. He leaves a widow and a son and daughter.

The thugs will be out in probably a year or less. Does DCI Heys really believe it is a tragedy for them? Why is he even giving them a moment's thought? They are where they belong - behind bars.

They are not responsible for Mr Norton's manslaughter - they murdered him and should not be allowed out until they are very old men.