A 12-year-old boy has been interviewed by Police in connection with an act of criminal damage at Ventnor Cemetery over the festive period.
As previously reported by Island Echo, a number of ornate windows at the cemetery’s chapel were smashed and damage was caused to the front door, causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.
The Grade II listed chapel dates back to 1870 and is a good example of an Early English style Anglican chapel. It was designed by local architect F Newman of Ryde.
Hampshire Constabulary has now confirmed that a 12-year-old lad from the Isle of Wight has been interviewed under caution.
The incident remains under investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
Friends of Ventnor Cemetery – a group established to look after the interests of the public space – have already been able to make some repairs to the historic chapel. The smashed windows have been boarded over and the door fixed and cleaned. Thanks to the kind-heartedness of 2 local businesses, funds have already been secured to help replace the damaged windows.
If the boy is found to be the culprit he should be made to help the volunteers tidying the cemetery.
Make his parents pay for the repairs
The boy should be charged with criminal damage if he is found to be responsible for this and the parents made to pay for the damage along with a hefty fine. Some hours of work in the cemetery alongside the friends of Ventnor cemetery, who he committed this crime against might teach him as well. At 12 years old, the parents are supposed to be responsible for the child and know where they are and what they’re doing!
Was he on his own? If he was, what made he think of doing such a thing anyway? I don’t think a lot of parents know where or what their kids are up to often these days, sadly. He sounds like he needs help. Making him repair the damage and help the church community would benefit the process I agree.
No he wasn’t on his own, my previous comment about a gang has been taken down. Freedom of speech again stifled.
I totally agree that the boy should be made to pay back the cost in some way, whether that be a fine, helping to repair any damage, or some other way.
At the age of 12, this boy is legally responsible for his own actions (the age of criminal responsibility is 10) and hopefully, this will deter him from continuing on a criminal path.
I really hope that this is a (possibly much-needed) wake-up call for him.
Parents probably did similar things as kids
if the parents had even an ounce of dignity they would have offered to pay for it themselves