Criminal justice system

One of my sons and I had another chance to see the criminal justice system up close again yesterday. This is following he theft of an i-pod last bonfire night at Primrose Hill. The two suspects decided for trial and so we had to get ourselves down to Highbury Magistrates Court. Security is rightly tight and airport style. having got through that we were shown the court where the trial was to take place. We were then put into a private room with other witnesses (it was quite a crime spree that night). As it turned out the ring leader decided to plead guilty in the end and so my son didn't have to go into the court, which he was pleased about. I think the others did testify but we did not hang around to see that (in a youth court there is no access for the general public). This ring leader, despite hissize, turned out to be only 15. He owned up to more than one charge and asked for others to be taken into account. Of course, turning up and being willing to testify was important even though it didn't go that far. it's hard work catching criminals and presoecuting them but it is done fairly and efficiently and that is something to be thankful for. Let's just hope that this young man will learn his lesson and somehow make a freh start. I'm sure it won't be easy.