Teenager blinded following detonator prank in Leigh (From Southend Standard)
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Teenager blinded following detonator prank in Leigh
7:00am Monday 13th August 2012 in Southend
A TEENAGER was blinded in his right eye after a prank went wrong.
The 15 year-old boy suffered severe facial injuries after a detonator exploded in his face.
He was playing with two friends at Leigh skate park, off Belton Way, when the trio decided to enter the nearby railway depot.
After coming across a box of detonators, which are used as fog signals on the rail network, they threw them onto a bonfire along with other items.
At least one of the detonators exploded after reacting with the heat.
Det Con Michael Bute, from Southend British Transport Police, said: "This is a tragic indicent which has had very serious consequences for the youngster involved. It does serve to highlight
the dangers of trespassing into any part of the railway network which is not meant for public access."
The teenager was taken to Southend Hospital at around 10.45pm on Saturday, and is due to undergo surgery today.
It is not yet known if his vision will return.
Two 17 year-olds have been arrested on suspcion of theft following the incident, and are currently being questioned at Southend police station.
Comments(97)
BIRLIS
says...
1:00pm Sun 12 Aug 12
alanofessex1
says...
1:20pm Sun 12 Aug 12
southendshrimper
says...
2:36pm Sun 12 Aug 12
j-w
says...
3:06pm Sun 12 Aug 12
Max Impact
says...
3:29pm Sun 12 Aug 12
Will he face court action over the trespass and theft?
Yes we all have done silly things as kids but not once did enter any property I was not invited into, nor did I steal anything.
That is the crux of the issue here, if he had not entered the railway storage, if he had not stolen the detonators, if he had not thrown them in to a fire he would still be as he was that morning he awoke, a stupid moment of madness has cost him his eye, that is something he will have to live with.
He has only one person to blame HIMSELF.
justlisten
says...
4:19pm Sun 12 Aug 12
southendshrimper wrote:This was clearly an accident. Hope shouthend Shirmper suffers an accident one day and maybe loses his eyesight or worse. Hope the kid gets better.
Sorry but I have no sympathy for him. To break in to a railway depot & may be starring a bonefire. I never broke into someones property or start a fire I was brought up to respect other peoples property.
Truth Will Prevail
says...
4:38pm Sun 12 Aug 12
justlisten wrote:No it wasn't an accident, it was criminal. Shame about his eye but serves him right for stealing things he doesn't understand.
southendshrimper wrote: Sorry but I have no sympathy for him. To break in to a railway depot & may be starring a bonefire. I never broke into someones property or start a fire I was brought up to respect other peoples property.This was clearly an accident. Hope shouthend Shirmper suffers an accident one day and maybe loses his eyesight or worse. Hope the kid gets better.
Max Impact
says...
4:39pm Sun 12 Aug 12
justlisten wrote:Would the "accident" have happend if they had not stolen the detonators?
southendshrimper wrote: Sorry but I have no sympathy for him. To break in to a railway depot & may be starring a bonefire. I never broke into someones property or start a fire I was brought up to respect other peoples property.This was clearly an accident. Hope shouthend Shirmper suffers an accident one day and maybe loses his eyesight or worse. Hope the kid gets better.
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
5:09pm Sun 12 Aug 12
Unlucky mate.
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
5:09pm Sun 12 Aug 12
Unlucky mate.
x2k
says...
5:37pm Sun 12 Aug 12
--
Unfortunately, he (as part of the group) set a fire, trespassed on private property, stole detonators and threw them on the fire.
--
Had he/they done none of the above (or even only some of the above) he'd be ok right now.
--
I'm sorry to hear of his suffering, and I hope the surgeons can save his sight, but he & his friends caused the situation entirely.
SpaffSpiff84
says...
6:40pm Sun 12 Aug 12
southendshrimper
says...
7:00pm Sun 12 Aug 12
j-w wrote:No, never have why do you ask?
Southendshrimper, Do you work for the Echo?
southendshrimper
says...
7:08pm Sun 12 Aug 12
justlisten wrote:Yeah thanks for that, for your information I have had an accident where I almost lost an eye. I was about 10 & fell over & hit my face. I did not break into someones property & steal something & then throw it onto a fire.
southendshrimper wrote:This was clearly an accident. Hope shouthend Shirmper suffers an accident one day and maybe loses his eyesight or worse. Hope the kid gets better.
Sorry but I have no sympathy for him. To break in to a railway depot & may be starring a bonefire. I never broke into someones property or start a fire I was brought up to respect other peoples property.
EssexBoy1968
says...
7:50pm Sun 12 Aug 12
Surely, even in these days of increasing illiteracy & (seeming) ignorance of the law, 2 17yr olds & 1 15 yr old would have been aware of what they were putting on a fire & that it was illegal to have taken the items, let alone the issue of trespass as well as the inadvisability of lighting a bonfire.
I suppose we have to be grateful that only one of this idiotic threesome was injured.
Are Essex Police going to interview this unfortunate young man with a view to pressing charges once he is "ouit of danger"?
mick485
says...
12:14am Mon 13 Aug 12
Hardly crime of the century was it?
I'd have to question the thought process behind leaving explosives
unsecured in close proximity of a skate park. I say unsecured because i'm guessing that they didn't take bolt croppers or any other breaking in tools out with them that night, it probably just seemed like a good idea at time!
Hard lesson learnt, hope the lad makes a full recovery.
paul.d.
says...
12:53am Mon 13 Aug 12
Dumbnut
says...
1:50am Mon 13 Aug 12
j-w wrote:Well, that made me laugh.
Southendshrimper, Do you work for the Echo?
mick485
says...
2:53am Mon 13 Aug 12
paul.d. wrote:Smart comment that, I would of thought that any half inteligent person would be able to differentiate between what these lads got up to and someone burgling your house or stealing your car. Would of been pretty much a victimless crime he been not standing where he was.
Thieves dont deserve sympathy. end of
The worrying thing is that people such as yourself get called up for jury service, that is of course if you're all as squeaky clean as you claim.
Brunning999
says...
8:24am Mon 13 Aug 12
justlisten wrote:Your view is so naive and is typical of the modern 'blame culture'
southendshrimper wrote:This was clearly an accident. Hope shouthend Shirmper suffers an accident one day and maybe loses his eyesight or worse. Hope the kid gets better.
Sorry but I have no sympathy for him. To break in to a railway depot & may be starring a bonefire. I never broke into someones property or start a fire I was brought up to respect other peoples property.
Firstly he is 15, at that age I had been working for a year 9 hours per day 6 days per week.
It would appear that if any blame could be attributed which I doubt then It can only be Rail Network who if correct have failed to secure explosive devices which surely must be an offence under the explosives act.
However I cannot imagine any company failing to secure such dangerous equipment therefore if the property was firstly secured and secondly in a secure building then they have taken all reasonable care.
it is a fact that if the lad has firstly broken into a building, secondly broken into a secure container and thirdly STOLEN the items then he is a a Burglar and a thief and has little sympathy from me.
The best comment is 'I hope he has learnt from this experience'
I do not feel sorry for any Burglar or Thief however the result of this lads own actions have led to his self inflicted suffering which sounds like he has punished himself enough.
AndyBSG
says...
9:11am Mon 13 Aug 12
You get people complaininig that young criminals are treated with too much leniency and that the punishment rarely reflects the seriousness of the crime then some little scrote and his vandal mates break into a railway depot, steal explosives and start a fire to set the explosives off then when his crimes backfire everyone's supposed to feel sorry for him!
perini
says...
9:27am Mon 13 Aug 12
mick485 wrote:Why does it have to be 'the crime of thre century?' Isn't breaking and entering, theft and arson enough? Deserves all he got and I hope he also gets prosecuted.
I can remember doing a few stupid things as a teenager, i'm sure that if we think hard enough we all can. The poor lads sustained what could be a life changing injury, do you honestly believe that the possible outcome of this is deserved?
Hardly crime of the century was it?
I'd have to question the thought process behind leaving explosives
unsecured in close proximity of a skate park. I say unsecured because i'm guessing that they didn't take bolt croppers or any other breaking in tools out with them that night, it probably just seemed like a good idea at time!
Hard lesson learnt, hope the lad makes a full recovery.
Anonymous123456
says...
9:47am Mon 13 Aug 12
Him and his good friends where just having fun until the horrible tragedy occurred, and to call him a scrote his hardly fair.
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
10:22am Mon 13 Aug 12
DCLEIGH
says...
10:50am Mon 13 Aug 12
.
The Railway Depot owners should be prosecuted for not keeping explosives in a much safer place.
.
The Parents should be prosecuted for neglect in allowing a 15yrs old to be in that area after 10pm.
.
The 17yr old should be prosecuted for endangering lives.
.
The 15yr old should be similarly prosecuted.
.
The Police should ensure the area is cleared of children after 10pm.
.
The council should go back on their lies and restore the football pitches opposite this skate park.
.
Two Tree Island needs to be investigated for criminal activity
jayman
says...
11:41am Mon 13 Aug 12
jayman
says...
11:42am Mon 13 Aug 12
MitchLive
says...
12:42pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Anonymous123456 wrote:Right, so lets get this straight then. Say I left my back gate open and my shed un-padlocked and in my shed I was storing a biscuit tin of fireworks, then during the night some tea leaf comes in, pockets MY UNSECURE fireworks, from MY shed, in MY back and ends up taking one of his eyes out. Now are you then saying I should be prosecuted because I didn't store the fireworks correctly? That some good for nothing chav thought it was within his own right to trespass and take what isn't his? Give over. So what if there was a hole in the fence. What, you think because he went through this hole it offers him immunity from the law? 'Case number 125998 your honour'. 'What's the charge?'. 'The accused was caught trespassing on private property ma' Lord'. 'And how did the accused come about being on private property?'. 'He climbed through a hole in the fence ma' Lord'. 'A hole in fence?! I ask myself, what are we doing here, this young lad has caused no crime! Case closed'.
Before any of you make a comment about what happened to this boy you should get your story straight. Yes it was his own fault but seriously, have some sympathy for the boy! He's just had the scare of his life and I think he might just have learnt his lesson. He didn't steal from someone's house, he went through a hole in the fence (which may I add most people go through at the skatepark.) Him and his good friends where just having fun until the horrible tragedy occurred, and to call him a scrote his hardly fair.
Rant over. Some people make me laugh, no wonder the country is the pits. Lets hope he feels slightly embarrassed when people ask him how he lost his eye and he tells them the story. Or whether he makes something up.
Dangerous driver
says...
1:01pm Mon 13 Aug 12
howironic
says...
1:24pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Dangerous driver wrote:I may have played the odd game of knock down ginger, but I certainly never started fires or stole sweets, but you seem to think it's OK to do that??
I do have sympathy for the kid, because come on lets face it, we all and have done stupid things as kids, and to be honest we still do every now and again. As a 15 year old we used to make fires in parks, knock down ginger, stealing sweets etc.. What else is there to do when your underage for everything? I think towns need to put more youth centres and set up more activities for kids, especially as its the summer holiday. I guess blowing up things for some kids is there idea of fun though!
And what else is there to do??? How about going over to a field playing football or going for a bike ride, there is no need for additional youth centres, that is just an excuse, as 'sorry I was bored sir'... do me a favour.
The thieving scrote got exactly what he deserved and hopefully will also be punished by the authorities in time.
DCLEIGH
says...
1:25pm Mon 13 Aug 12
.
Companies have "a duty of care". They are not individuals, they are entities where the head MUST control the body.
.
I would expect you had common sense and kept fireworks away from youngsters.
.
You have no less duty of care to keep fireworks away from morons and idiots who might pass by....in law....really.
.
That Duty of care , in my opinion, probably is not so strong as YOU do not or cannot foresee a burglar entering your premises and doing what you have said.
.
An organisation like ?Network Rail? MUST foresee EVERY likelihood and a burglar is NOT particular difficult to foresee these days.
justlisten
says...
1:39pm Mon 13 Aug 12
howironic
says...
1:42pm Mon 13 Aug 12
justlisten wrote:He took something that wasn't his, doesn't that make him a criminal?
Come on this behaviour is perfectly normal for nearly every youung teenager. Just very unlucky it ended the way it did, Most young boys go round making fires and getting up to mischief. I know i certainly did. Ive even spoke to police officers and they openly admit that they used to go round making fires as kids. Its what young kids do. So please show a bit of sympathy for this young boy whos just lost the sight in his eye from having a little bit of fun hes not a criminal just a normal boy who made a mistake.
If someone took your car, or stole your purse/wallet then I assume the same rules apply, and they were 'just having fun'?
MitchLive
says...
1:53pm Mon 13 Aug 12
DCLEIGH wrote:Do you actually read peoples comments or just skip through the words until you find one that you understand?. You would expect it that I had commen sense and kept fireworks away from youngsters? In my own shed on my own property in a house where there are no youngsters? How the hell would I be prosecuted? On what charge??
Yes, you could be prosecuted. . Companies have "a duty of care". They are not individuals, they are entities where the head MUST control the body. . I would expect you had common sense and kept fireworks away from youngsters. . You have no less duty of care to keep fireworks away from morons and idiots who might pass by....in law....really. . That Duty of care , in my opinion, probably is not so strong as YOU do not or cannot foresee a burglar entering your premises and doing what you have said. . An organisation like ?Network Rail? MUST foresee EVERY likelihood and a burglar is NOT particular difficult to foresee these days.
southendshrimper
says...
2:03pm Mon 13 Aug 12
DCLEIGH wrote:Jayman hater of all friend to none. did you read the story? they broke into gives it away. Let me guess you have never done anything wrong. Blame everyone else man mire like it.
Regardless of all the nonsense suggesting he deserved it or he is a criminal.
.
The Railway Depot owners should be prosecuted for not keeping explosives in a much safer place.
.
The Parents should be prosecuted for neglect in allowing a 15yrs old to be in that area after 10pm.
.
The 17yr old should be prosecuted for endangering lives.
.
The 15yr old should be similarly prosecuted.
.
The Police should ensure the area is cleared of children after 10pm.
.
The council should go back on their lies and restore the football pitches opposite this skate park.
.
Two Tree Island needs to be investigated for criminal activity
andy:)
says...
2:17pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Oh well, hope he gets better and I suspect network rail will be in trouble for not securing items properally.
Andy
justlisten
says...
2:22pm Mon 13 Aug 12
howironic wrote:So if a kid steals a pack of sweets from a shop does that make him a criminal? guess we are all criminals then
justlisten wrote:He took something that wasn't his, doesn't that make him a criminal?
Come on this behaviour is perfectly normal for nearly every youung teenager. Just very unlucky it ended the way it did, Most young boys go round making fires and getting up to mischief. I know i certainly did. Ive even spoke to police officers and they openly admit that they used to go round making fires as kids. Its what young kids do. So please show a bit of sympathy for this young boy whos just lost the sight in his eye from having a little bit of fun hes not a criminal just a normal boy who made a mistake.
If someone took your car, or stole your purse/wallet then I assume the same rules apply, and they were 'just having fun'?
howironic
says...
2:30pm Mon 13 Aug 12
justlisten wrote:Of course it does, stealing is stealing, no matter what the value is, or the age of the person. Why can't you comprehend that? It just goes to show what a sorry state this country is in, and please don't tar us all with the same brush with the 'guess WE are all criminals then' as some of us have respect for others property.
howironic wrote:So if a kid steals a pack of sweets from a shop does that make him a criminal? guess we are all criminals thenjustlisten wrote: Come on this behaviour is perfectly normal for nearly every youung teenager. Just very unlucky it ended the way it did, Most young boys go round making fires and getting up to mischief. I know i certainly did. Ive even spoke to police officers and they openly admit that they used to go round making fires as kids. Its what young kids do. So please show a bit of sympathy for this young boy whos just lost the sight in his eye from having a little bit of fun hes not a criminal just a normal boy who made a mistake.He took something that wasn't his, doesn't that make him a criminal? If someone took your car, or stole your purse/wallet then I assume the same rules apply, and they were 'just having fun'?
I suppose if a 15 year old stole your vehicle you wouldn't be best pleased, but it would be OK if they crashed into a tree as that was punishment enough!
justlisten
says...
2:37pm Mon 13 Aug 12
howironic wrote:Its thats the case then I would estimate that at least 80% of kids are criminals then.Im sure they have all broken the law in some way or another whether it be criminal damge arson or theft.
justlisten wrote:Of course it does, stealing is stealing, no matter what the value is, or the age of the person. Why can't you comprehend that? It just goes to show what a sorry state this country is in, and please don't tar us all with the same brush with the 'guess WE are all criminals then' as some of us have respect for others property.
howironic wrote:So if a kid steals a pack of sweets from a shop does that make him a criminal? guess we are all criminals thenjustlisten wrote: Come on this behaviour is perfectly normal for nearly every youung teenager. Just very unlucky it ended the way it did, Most young boys go round making fires and getting up to mischief. I know i certainly did. Ive even spoke to police officers and they openly admit that they used to go round making fires as kids. Its what young kids do. So please show a bit of sympathy for this young boy whos just lost the sight in his eye from having a little bit of fun hes not a criminal just a normal boy who made a mistake.He took something that wasn't his, doesn't that make him a criminal? If someone took your car, or stole your purse/wallet then I assume the same rules apply, and they were 'just having fun'?
I suppose if a 15 year old stole your vehicle you wouldn't be best pleased, but it would be OK if they crashed into a tree as that was punishment enough!
howironic
says...
2:42pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Nebs
says...
2:49pm Mon 13 Aug 12
justlisten wrote:Rubbish. Most teenagers are quite well behaved, and would not consider stealing something that does not belong to them. It's just we never read about them, as a story about three well behaved teenagers having a day out on their bikes and playing football with jumpers for goalposts just isn't newsworthy.
Come on this behaviour is perfectly normal for nearly every youung teenager. Just very unlucky it ended the way it did, Most young boys go round making fires and getting up to mischief. I know i certainly did. Ive even spoke to police officers and they openly admit that they used to go round making fires as kids. Its what young kids do. So please show a bit of sympathy for this young boy whos just lost the sight in his eye from having a little bit of fun hes not a criminal just a normal boy who made a mistake.
pendulum
says...
2:49pm Mon 13 Aug 12
AndyBSG
says...
2:56pm Mon 13 Aug 12
80%... where do you live because I need to make sure I don't go near that area if underage thieving is that rife!
When I was at school we did have a few thieves in my year but that was two or three bad eggs out of about 70 pupils and certainly not 55 or more at the 80% rate you allude to.
Surprise, surprise, the two kids at school that I knew thieved stuff have both gone onto further criminal endeavours with several jail sentences as a result of stealing from hard working people... Maybe if one of them had lost an eye as a kid it would have made them reconsider their futures and they wouldn't be the blight on society they are now.
meldrew84
says...
3:01pm Mon 13 Aug 12
And yes, it may well be a crime, but lets face it, there are kids his age out there stabbing and robbing innocent people, so being a doughnut with stuff he shouldn't be playing with hardly makes him Ronnie Biggs does it!
Some utterly self righteous morons on this site, it's actually quite disturbing!
Dangerous driver
says...
3:03pm Mon 13 Aug 12
howironic wrote:So if that was your kid who got blinded would you have the same opinion then?
Dangerous driver wrote:I may have played the odd game of knock down ginger, but I certainly never started fires or stole sweets, but you seem to think it's OK to do that??
I do have sympathy for the kid, because come on lets face it, we all and have done stupid things as kids, and to be honest we still do every now and again. As a 15 year old we used to make fires in parks, knock down ginger, stealing sweets etc.. What else is there to do when your underage for everything? I think towns need to put more youth centres and set up more activities for kids, especially as its the summer holiday. I guess blowing up things for some kids is there idea of fun though!
And what else is there to do??? How about going over to a field playing football or going for a bike ride, there is no need for additional youth centres, that is just an excuse, as 'sorry I was bored sir'... do me a favour.
The thieving scrote got exactly what he deserved and hopefully will also be punished by the authorities in time.
watchfulk
says...
3:06pm Mon 13 Aug 12
howironic wrote:No actually most boys do not go round making fires and it is not normal. What did these boys think the fence was there for? The fact that they went through a hole doesn't make anyone else responsible for what then happened. Please don't say they didn't realise they shouldn't have been in there.
justlisten wrote:He took something that wasn't his, doesn't that make him a criminal?
Come on this behaviour is perfectly normal for nearly every youung teenager. Just very unlucky it ended the way it did, Most young boys go round making fires and getting up to mischief. I know i certainly did. Ive even spoke to police officers and they openly admit that they used to go round making fires as kids. Its what young kids do. So please show a bit of sympathy for this young boy whos just lost the sight in his eye from having a little bit of fun hes not a criminal just a normal boy who made a mistake.
If someone took your car, or stole your purse/wallet then I assume the same rules apply, and they were 'just having fun'?
I kind of think the next thing we will be reading about is some kind of compensation claim going in for this lads loss of sight. So soft are we in this country that it will probably be successful too. What these boys did was not just a bit of fun and it could have had any number of more serious consequences perhaps involving innocent members of the public. A tough lesson learnt hopefully it will deter others from doing the same.
howironic
says...
3:06pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Dangerous driver wrote:That's all hypotectical really as my child (kid is a baby goat) knows the difference between right and wrong and respects others property.
howironic wrote:So if that was your kid who got blinded would you have the same opinion then?Dangerous driver wrote: I do have sympathy for the kid, because come on lets face it, we all and have done stupid things as kids, and to be honest we still do every now and again. As a 15 year old we used to make fires in parks, knock down ginger, stealing sweets etc.. What else is there to do when your underage for everything? I think towns need to put more youth centres and set up more activities for kids, especially as its the summer holiday. I guess blowing up things for some kids is there idea of fun though!I may have played the odd game of knock down ginger, but I certainly never started fires or stole sweets, but you seem to think it's OK to do that?? And what else is there to do??? How about going over to a field playing football or going for a bike ride, there is no need for additional youth centres, that is just an excuse, as 'sorry I was bored sir'... do me a favour. The thieving scrote got exactly what he deserved and hopefully will also be punished by the authorities in time.
Keptquiettillnow
says...
3:36pm Mon 13 Aug 12
They children shouldnt have been there, but we where all young once.
howironic
says...
4:03pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Keptquiettillnow wrote:Why are train line cables left in such an easy to get at position. Shouldnt there be some health and safety rule making sure they are locked away.
Why was explosives left in an easy to get at position. Shouldnt there be some health and safety rule making sure they are locked away. They children shouldnt have been there, but we where all young once.
How about people leave them alone to begin with.
ShrimperSS0
says...
4:27pm Mon 13 Aug 12
ShrimperSS0
says...
4:34pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Dangerous driver
says...
4:36pm Mon 13 Aug 12
howironic wrote:Thats what you think. You dont know what his doing when his out of site ;)
Dangerous driver wrote:That's all hypotectical really as my child (kid is a baby goat) knows the difference between right and wrong and respects others property.
howironic wrote:So if that was your kid who got blinded would you have the same opinion then?Dangerous driver wrote: I do have sympathy for the kid, because come on lets face it, we all and have done stupid things as kids, and to be honest we still do every now and again. As a 15 year old we used to make fires in parks, knock down ginger, stealing sweets etc.. What else is there to do when your underage for everything? I think towns need to put more youth centres and set up more activities for kids, especially as its the summer holiday. I guess blowing up things for some kids is there idea of fun though!I may have played the odd game of knock down ginger, but I certainly never started fires or stole sweets, but you seem to think it's OK to do that?? And what else is there to do??? How about going over to a field playing football or going for a bike ride, there is no need for additional youth centres, that is just an excuse, as 'sorry I was bored sir'... do me a favour. The thieving scrote got exactly what he deserved and hopefully will also be punished by the authorities in time.
Brunning999
says...
4:52pm Mon 13 Aug 12
j-w
says...
4:57pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Dumbnut wrote:Probably a bit subtle. Just a gentle dig Southendshrimper. ;-)
j-w wrote:Well, that made me laugh.
Southendshrimper, Do you work for the Echo?
howironic
says...
5:00pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Dangerous driver wrote:I've no need!!! I also make sure SHE uses correct grammar as well.
howironic wrote:Thats what you think. You dont know what his doing when his out of site ;)Dangerous driver wrote:That's all hypotectical really as my child (kid is a baby goat) knows the difference between right and wrong and respects others property.howironic wrote:So if that was your kid who got blinded would you have the same opinion then?Dangerous driver wrote: I do have sympathy for the kid, because come on lets face it, we all and have done stupid things as kids, and to be honest we still do every now and again. As a 15 year old we used to make fires in parks, knock down ginger, stealing sweets etc.. What else is there to do when your underage for everything? I think towns need to put more youth centres and set up more activities for kids, especially as its the summer holiday. I guess blowing up things for some kids is there idea of fun though!I may have played the odd game of knock down ginger, but I certainly never started fires or stole sweets, but you seem to think it's OK to do that?? And what else is there to do??? How about going over to a field playing football or going for a bike ride, there is no need for additional youth centres, that is just an excuse, as 'sorry I was bored sir'... do me a favour. The thieving scrote got exactly what he deserved and hopefully will also be punished by the authorities in time.
DCLEIGH
says...
5:46pm Mon 13 Aug 12
MitchLive wrote:Fireworks Regulations 2004 impose restrictions on the importation, supply and possession of fireworks in England, Wales and Scotland.
DCLEIGH wrote:Do you actually read peoples comments or just skip through the words until you find one that you understand?. You would expect it that I had commen sense and kept fireworks away from youngsters? In my own shed on my own property in a house where there are no youngsters? How the hell would I be prosecuted? On what charge??
Yes, you could be prosecuted. . Companies have "a duty of care". They are not individuals, they are entities where the head MUST control the body. . I would expect you had common sense and kept fireworks away from youngsters. . You have no less duty of care to keep fireworks away from morons and idiots who might pass by....in law....really. . That Duty of care , in my opinion, probably is not so strong as YOU do not or cannot foresee a burglar entering your premises and doing what you have said. . An organisation like ?Network Rail? MUST foresee EVERY likelihood and a burglar is NOT particular difficult to foresee these days.
.
Specifically a ban on the possession of fireworks by Non-professionals
.
If you have a gun - in your own shed - on your own property - that is not legal.
.
It is also illegal to own bears, large cats, rhinos, crocodiles, and chimps.
.
A flame thrower is something you may not have considered.
.
illicit drugs
flick and gravity knives
self defence sprays such as pepper and CS gas sprays
stun guns
indecent and obscene material
counterfeit, pirated and patent-infringing goods
.
Without a licence....
Firearms, explosives and ammunition
realistic imitation firearms
offensive weapons including swords with a curved blade exceeding 50cms in length
live animals
endangered animals or plants - see section below 'souvenirs made from endangered species'
certain fur skins and articles made from fur skin
certain radio transmitters
rough diamonds
.
I'm sorry if that does not make ANY sense to you?
DCLEIGH
says...
5:48pm Mon 13 Aug 12
DCLEIGH wrote:But the point is....A company has a far greater DUTY of CARE to the public and will be Prosecuted for such negligence.
MitchLive wrote:Fireworks Regulations 2004 impose restrictions on the importation, supply and possession of fireworks in England, Wales and Scotland.
DCLEIGH wrote:Do you actually read peoples comments or just skip through the words until you find one that you understand?. You would expect it that I had commen sense and kept fireworks away from youngsters? In my own shed on my own property in a house where there are no youngsters? How the hell would I be prosecuted? On what charge??
Yes, you could be prosecuted. . Companies have "a duty of care". They are not individuals, they are entities where the head MUST control the body. . I would expect you had common sense and kept fireworks away from youngsters. . You have no less duty of care to keep fireworks away from morons and idiots who might pass by....in law....really. . That Duty of care , in my opinion, probably is not so strong as YOU do not or cannot foresee a burglar entering your premises and doing what you have said. . An organisation like ?Network Rail? MUST foresee EVERY likelihood and a burglar is NOT particular difficult to foresee these days.
.
Specifically a ban on the possession of fireworks by Non-professionals
.
If you have a gun - in your own shed - on your own property - that is not legal.
.
It is also illegal to own bears, large cats, rhinos, crocodiles, and chimps.
.
A flame thrower is something you may not have considered.
.
illicit drugs
flick and gravity knives
self defence sprays such as pepper and CS gas sprays
stun guns
indecent and obscene material
counterfeit, pirated and patent-infringing goods
.
Without a licence....
Firearms, explosives and ammunition
realistic imitation firearms
offensive weapons including swords with a curved blade exceeding 50cms in length
live animals
endangered animals or plants - see section below 'souvenirs made from endangered species'
certain fur skins and articles made from fur skin
certain radio transmitters
rough diamonds
.
I'm sorry if that does not make ANY sense to you?
Max Impact
says...
7:04pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Dangerous driver wrote:My kids have more sence than to do anything so stupid.
howironic wrote:So if that was your kid who got blinded would you have the same opinion then?Dangerous driver wrote: I do have sympathy for the kid, because come on lets face it, we all and have done stupid things as kids, and to be honest we still do every now and again. As a 15 year old we used to make fires in parks, knock down ginger, stealing sweets etc.. What else is there to do when your underage for everything? I think towns need to put more youth centres and set up more activities for kids, especially as its the summer holiday. I guess blowing up things for some kids is there idea of fun though!I may have played the odd game of knock down ginger, but I certainly never started fires or stole sweets, but you seem to think it's OK to do that?? And what else is there to do??? How about going over to a field playing football or going for a bike ride, there is no need for additional youth centres, that is just an excuse, as 'sorry I was bored sir'... do me a favour. The thieving scrote got exactly what he deserved and hopefully will also be punished by the authorities in time.
EssexBoy1968
says...
7:25pm Mon 13 Aug 12
justlisten wrote:I can categorically state to you that I have certainly never stolen an item (of any description) from a shop. I understand that even in today's society that shoplifting is a criminal offence. So, yes, if you take part in shoplifting when over the age of criminal responsibility (currently 10), you are classified as a criminal on conviction or when given a caution.
howironic wrote:So if a kid steals a pack of sweets from a shop does that make him a criminal? guess we are all criminals thenjustlisten wrote: Come on this behaviour is perfectly normal for nearly every youung teenager. Just very unlucky it ended the way it did, Most young boys go round making fires and getting up to mischief. I know i certainly did. Ive even spoke to police officers and they openly admit that they used to go round making fires as kids. Its what young kids do. So please show a bit of sympathy for this young boy whos just lost the sight in his eye from having a little bit of fun hes not a criminal just a normal boy who made a mistake.He took something that wasn't his, doesn't that make him a criminal? If someone took your car, or stole your purse/wallet then I assume the same rules apply, and they were 'just having fun'?
EssexBoy1968
says...
7:33pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Dangerous driver wrote:If it was my kid, or if I was the "responsible adult" in his life, I would personally feel that I had failed in making sure he was able to differentiate between right & wrong & act accordingly. I would also expect that he be made to face the consequences of his actions, whilst being there to offer support (but not excuses) when required.
howironic wrote:So if that was your kid who got blinded would you have the same opinion then?Dangerous driver wrote: I do have sympathy for the kid, because come on lets face it, we all and have done stupid things as kids, and to be honest we still do every now and again. As a 15 year old we used to make fires in parks, knock down ginger, stealing sweets etc.. What else is there to do when your underage for everything? I think towns need to put more youth centres and set up more activities for kids, especially as its the summer holiday. I guess blowing up things for some kids is there idea of fun though!I may have played the odd game of knock down ginger, but I certainly never started fires or stole sweets, but you seem to think it's OK to do that?? And what else is there to do??? How about going over to a field playing football or going for a bike ride, there is no need for additional youth centres, that is just an excuse, as 'sorry I was bored sir'... do me a favour. The thieving scrote got exactly what he deserved and hopefully will also be punished by the authorities in time.
I_hate_scum!
says...
11:39pm Mon 13 Aug 12
perini
says...
11:45pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Anonymous123456 wrote:Are you really as naive as you seem to be portraying! Scare of his life! He broke into and entered into a property, stole detonators, and then either they chucked them on a fire for effect, or wanton destruction, and it back-fired! Tough sh*t! Does it make any difference stealing from a depot or someones house - NO, thieving is thieving no matter where its from! Having fun? - he's a wrong 'un and I hope he 's prosecuted!
Before any of you make a comment about what happened to this boy you should get your story straight. Yes it was his own fault but seriously, have some sympathy for the boy! He's just had the scare of his life and I think he might just have learnt his lesson. He didn't steal from someone's house, he went through a hole in the fence (which may I add most people go through at the skatepark.)
Him and his good friends where just having fun until the horrible tragedy occurred, and to call him a scrote his hardly fair.
Leighboy72
says...
11:50pm Mon 13 Aug 12
Another point I have seen was the fact that he broke and entered into the depot. This is the crime and for that he is in the wrong but you have to question how three young people managed to get into a building that had detonators and from what I've seen above and read in the article, breaking into the building isn't unusual for the youngsters down the skatepark.
Finally for those mentioning his parents, the blame for this cannot be passed onto them. I can safely say I disobeyed my parents many a time and didn't do as I was told and for those saying why was he out in the first place do you know the real story of why he was out and can you prove it was the parents fault. When I was 15 I used to tell my parents I was somewhere but would actually be somewhere else. Im sure this is not uncommon in teenagers still today.
I do not wish to pass the blame onto anyone regarding this incident as the only people to blame are those who were involved and unfortunately this stupid action has cost one boy to lose sight in one eye but saying he deserved this punishment, come on that's a bit too far don't you think? Show some respect for his family right now who I'm sure are deeply upset and think about the comments you are posting. I hope the boy makes a quick recovery and hope the damage done to his eye, and no doubt face, isn't too extensive and permanent.
Leighboy72
says...
11:54pm Mon 13 Aug 12
The Cater Wood Creeper wrote:If you think this is a funny and witty comment then I can assure you, you are wrong. This situation is anything but amusing and I would hope you would show some decency and not post rude, disrespectful and frankly tasteless jokes onto a serious story like this.
he'll undoubtedly keep an eye on things in future
justlisten
says...
12:34am Tue 14 Aug 12
EssexBoy1968
says...
5:53am Tue 14 Aug 12
However, none of this excuses the trespass, theft or setting of the fire in the first place.
Anonymous123456
says...
7:31am Tue 14 Aug 12
meldrew84 wrote:I totally agree with you! I know the boy and his a good kid, just was mucking around as all 15 year boys do! He's paid a massive price for it, so why don't you all give it a rest and get back your lives!!!!
Cos I'm sure this lad really cares what you lot have to say!! He's done a stupid "crime" and has paid the ultimate price. Peoples sympathy, or lack of, really isn't going to affect him in any way so get over yourselves!
And yes, it may well be a crime, but lets face it, there are kids his age out there stabbing and robbing innocent people, so being a doughnut with stuff he shouldn't be playing with hardly makes him Ronnie Biggs does it!
Some utterly self righteous morons on this site, it's actually quite disturbing!
Anonymous123456
says...
7:34am Tue 14 Aug 12
Leighboy72 wrote:Well said!
After reading this article and the comments following it I have to say I'm disgusted at some points being made. This boy whilst stupid, foolish and immature as he was has now lost the sight in one of his eyes. This is a massive life changing experience for him and his family to adjust too. He is young which I can understand is no excuse as he should have known better but people saying he deserved it are cruel. No one at that age deserves that considering the crime he committed.
Another point I have seen was the fact that he broke and entered into the depot. This is the crime and for that he is in the wrong but you have to question how three young people managed to get into a building that had detonators and from what I've seen above and read in the article, breaking into the building isn't unusual for the youngsters down the skatepark.
Finally for those mentioning his parents, the blame for this cannot be passed onto them. I can safely say I disobeyed my parents many a time and didn't do as I was told and for those saying why was he out in the first place do you know the real story of why he was out and can you prove it was the parents fault. When I was 15 I used to tell my parents I was somewhere but would actually be somewhere else. Im sure this is not uncommon in teenagers still today.
I do not wish to pass the blame onto anyone regarding this incident as the only people to blame are those who were involved and unfortunately this stupid action has cost one boy to lose sight in one eye but saying he deserved this punishment, come on that's a bit too far don't you think? Show some respect for his family right now who I'm sure are deeply upset and think about the comments you are posting. I hope the boy makes a quick recovery and hope the damage done to his eye, and no doubt face, isn't too extensive and permanent.
turkey03
says...
9:34am Tue 14 Aug 12
turkey03
says...
9:36am Tue 14 Aug 12
meldrew84 wrote:agree totally meldrew84
Cos I'm sure this lad really cares what you lot have to say!! He's done a stupid "crime" and has paid the ultimate price. Peoples sympathy, or lack of, really isn't going to affect him in any way so get over yourselves!
And yes, it may well be a crime, but lets face it, there are kids his age out there stabbing and robbing innocent people, so being a doughnut with stuff he shouldn't be playing with hardly makes him Ronnie Biggs does it!
Some utterly self righteous morons on this site, it's actually quite disturbing!
Anonymous123456
says...
9:52am Tue 14 Aug 12
turkey03 wrote:Another comment well said! Can't believe how small minded some people are! Was you never kids once??? We all make mistakes, that's how we learn!
I never sit and read comments left on Echo website, let alone comment myself but having a 15 year old son who frequents Leigh skatepark I am appalled at other comments left and wholeheartedly agree with Leighboy72 .... I cant believe the Echo let these comments stand when probably the story isnt actually fully known. I have heard a different version of events and feel for his parents. I could go on but probably would only open myself up to abuse.
Lefty Cyclist Type
says...
10:15am Tue 14 Aug 12
turkey03 wrote:Recently it would appear the Echo has decided libel and racism are acceptable from commenters and criticising those things is unacceptable. This is why racist and libellous comments are left on show and those decrying those things have their comments removed.
I never sit and read comments left on Echo website, let alone comment myself but having a 15 year old son who frequents Leigh skatepark I am appalled at other comments left and wholeheartedly agree with Leighboy72 .... I cant believe the Echo let these comments stand when probably the story isnt actually fully known. I have heard a different version of events and feel for his parents. I could go on but probably would only open myself up to abuse.
It's why the more intelligent contributors are no longer posting as much under the stories and leaving it to the lowest common denominators the Echo apparently aspires to encourage as customers.
j-w
says...
1:50pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Lefty Cyclist Type
says...
2:02pm Tue 14 Aug 12
j-w wrote:The paper free too, is it?
Customers? on a free website! You just have the ache because hardly anyone agrees with your comments and you have to keep changing usernames for some reason.
Squirm
says...
2:21pm Tue 14 Aug 12
There are regimes that think it OK to cut off hands or put out eyes for those who have done wrong. They generally disgust me and so too have many of the posters here. Shallow, thoughtless foaming at the mouth morons. Do you really think this kind of impromptu sharia punishment is acceptable?
firedog
says...
4:41pm Tue 14 Aug 12
andy:)
says...
6:08pm Tue 14 Aug 12
turkey03 wrote:Why should the Echo not allow certain comments ?. Nothing here is really offensive and I believe it is still a free country. You may of heard different version of events, but I doubt the facts that someone trespassed on land and stole the detenators can be disputed.
I never sit and read comments left on Echo website, let alone comment myself but having a 15 year old son who frequents Leigh skatepark I am appalled at other comments left and wholeheartedly agree with Leighboy72 .... I cant believe the Echo let these comments stand when probably the story isnt actually fully known. I have heard a different version of events and feel for his parents. I could go on but probably would only open myself up to abuse.
j-w
says...
7:21pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Lefty Cyclist Type wrote:Do these comments appear in the paper magically after its been printed then?
j-w wrote:The paper free too, is it?
Customers? on a free website! You just have the ache because hardly anyone agrees with your comments and you have to keep changing usernames for some reason.
turkey03
says...
8:34pm Tue 14 Aug 12
I was brought up in a good home, went to grammar school and was well educated, however I did stupid things as a teenager and as someone else said you learn by your mistakes. I doubt anyone posting on this forum can honestly say they have never, ever done anything they regretted in life, especially as a teenager.
Anonymous123456
says...
8:55pm Tue 14 Aug 12
andy:) wrote:Nothing really offensive? Are you having a laugh, think of the poor boy sitting at home reading these comments left on here, don't you think he already feels rubbish enough?
turkey03 wrote:Why should the Echo not allow certain comments ?. Nothing here is really offensive and I believe it is still a free country. You may of heard different version of events, but I doubt the facts that someone trespassed on land and stole the detenators can be disputed.
I never sit and read comments left on Echo website, let alone comment myself but having a 15 year old son who frequents Leigh skatepark I am appalled at other comments left and wholeheartedly agree with Leighboy72 .... I cant believe the Echo let these comments stand when probably the story isnt actually fully known. I have heard a different version of events and feel for his parents. I could go on but probably would only open myself up to abuse.
j-w
says...
10:28pm Tue 14 Aug 12
Leighboy72
says...
11:43pm Tue 14 Aug 12
j-w wrote:I haven't read the national articles so can't pass comment on what he has said but is it possible that he is merely appearing in these papers to raise more awareness to the danger of playing with fires and explosives? If this is the case then I hope every national paper tells his story and it is used to remind teenagers of the dangers to prevent incidents like this happening again
I doubt it or he wouldn't have gone into some national newspapers today to appear more foolish!
Lefty Cyclist Type
says...
8:05am Wed 15 Aug 12
"...entered a railway depot through a broken fence with two older boys and took some rubbish from a skip to build the bonfire.
When the unmarked box – filled with detonators used to warn maintenance crews a train is approaching in thick fog – started to explode as the fire started, he tried to kick it away from the flames.
Debris flew into his face and he was taken to hospital where surgeons operated to remove the fragments…"
"… was out playing with the older boys near his home in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, on Saturday night. He was discharged from Southend Hospital the following day.
Speaking afterwards, with a patch over his eye, he said: ‘We were building a small fire and just dumped a few bits from the skip on there. One thing was an unmarked box but before we knew it, it started exploding.
‘We tried to spray the fire with water and I tried to kick the box off the heat but that was when I got hit in the face. Now I’m going to be paying the price for that mistake for the rest of my life.’
Large pools of blood could still be seen splattered across the concrete yesterday at the skate park where the teenagers built the fire.
Skateboarders in the area described how the boys walked through a gap in a nearby fence which had been there for ‘months, probably years’.
One said: ‘I don’t know why they didn’t fix the fence before.
‘What he did was stupid but why the hell were they dumping detonators yards from a skate park?’
The damaged fence was fixed within hours of the accident."
http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/news/article-
2187606/Boy-15-loses
-eye-railway-line-de
tonator-blows-face-t
hrew-bonfire.html?it
o=feeds-newsxml
meldrew84
says...
11:40am Wed 15 Aug 12
Anonymous123456 wrote:Well I hope he's ok in the long run. And tell him to ignore the opinions of the scores of muppets on here that actually believe they are so self righteous they have NEVER broken ANY law in ANY way or ever had a lucky escape from doing something stupid! (I would guess that about 1% of this thread have NEVER broken any law or done something silly... although it's probably less than that!!!) Good luck to him for his future, it's a pity he can't update in ten years when he ISN'T the UK's most wanted criminal !!
meldrew84 wrote:I totally agree with you! I know the boy and his a good kid, just was mucking around as all 15 year boys do! He's paid a massive price for it, so why don't you all give it a rest and get back your lives!!!!
Cos I'm sure this lad really cares what you lot have to say!! He's done a stupid "crime" and has paid the ultimate price. Peoples sympathy, or lack of, really isn't going to affect him in any way so get over yourselves!
And yes, it may well be a crime, but lets face it, there are kids his age out there stabbing and robbing innocent people, so being a doughnut with stuff he shouldn't be playing with hardly makes him Ronnie Biggs does it!
Some utterly self righteous morons on this site, it's actually quite disturbing!
Ossiett
says...
1:07pm Wed 15 Aug 12
tallblokerobbie
says...
1:25pm Wed 15 Aug 12
shoebury52
says...
4:00pm Wed 15 Aug 12
Max Impact
says...
5:00pm Wed 15 Aug 12
andy:) wrote:So why do you not tell us the version of events you have heard?
turkey03 wrote: I never sit and read comments left on Echo website, let alone comment myself but having a 15 year old son who frequents Leigh skatepark I am appalled at other comments left and wholeheartedly agree with Leighboy72 .... I cant believe the Echo let these comments stand when probably the story isnt actually fully known. I have heard a different version of events and feel for his parents. I could go on but probably would only open myself up to abuse.Why should the Echo not allow certain comments ?. Nothing here is really offensive and I believe it is still a free country. You may of heard different version of events, but I doubt the facts that someone trespassed on land and stole the detenators can be disputed.
Lefty Cyclist Type
says...
5:22pm Wed 15 Aug 12
andy:) wrote:Because those comments may be libellous. Yes, we have free speech, but free speech ends where hate and libel begin.
turkey03 wrote:Why should the Echo not allow certain comments ?. Nothing here is really offensive and I believe it is still a free country. You may of heard different version of events, but I doubt the facts that someone trespassed on land and stole the detenators can be disputed.
I never sit and read comments left on Echo website, let alone comment myself but having a 15 year old son who frequents Leigh skatepark I am appalled at other comments left and wholeheartedly agree with Leighboy72 .... I cant believe the Echo let these comments stand when probably the story isnt actually fully known. I have heard a different version of events and feel for his parents. I could go on but probably would only open myself up to abuse.
Trainman
says...
6:04pm Wed 15 Aug 12
sarcastic
says...
9:47pm Wed 15 Aug 12
Cos I'm sure this lad really cares what you lot have to say!! He's done a stupid "crimepoor boy
i think we should compensate him for his injury at leas 1 million plus anther for his lost eye.
then we should send him on a holiday to recuperate and make certain he gets private education so he doesnt get bullied by other students with 2 eyes.When hes finished learning give him a top job.
that should teach him a lesson and show other kids the way to get ahead.
his parents should also be compensated for there own distress as they might be embaressed their ofspring turned out so well
CurtisT
says...
10:47pm Wed 15 Aug 12
Leighboy72
says...
4:51pm Thu 16 Aug 12
This boy is 15 and should have known better but at the end of the day he is just still a kid and I'm sure he has learnt this. Network rail do have to answer questions regarding their waste disposal right next to a skatepark where kids as young as 10/11 play. The gap in the fence has been there for years and teenagers down the skatepark go through there frequently. Why has nothing been done about this before?
This incident has been horrific and I hope the boy has learnt from his lesson and hope he highlights the dangers of doing what he did so others do not follow in his footsteps. Show some sympathy for the boy for god's sake!
ifitsthatbadmove
says...
10:18pm Thu 16 Aug 12
AndyBSG
says...
4:02pm Fri 17 Aug 12
ifitsthatbadmove wrote:"innocently set fire to later"
so, its the railway's fault, they didn't repair the fence for the two years these lads have innocently been going into the yard. He saw the box and wanted to keep his bmx tools in it. emptied the detonators into a pile of rubbish, which they innocently set fire to later, So glad it wasn't his fault, commiting aggravated trespass, theft and arson. I am sorry he lost his sight, but actions have consequences, with rights come responsibility. It was no ones fault but his. I hope there isn't a lawsuit trying to blame the railway.
Totally the railways fault because we all know how 'innocent' thieving and then committing arson are...
At the end of the day he done something stupid and illegal and now he's paying a price which is out of proportion to the crimes he carried out which I do sympathise with.
However, the railway have done nothing wrong, broken no laws and have no duty to protect thieves from the consequences of their own actions
sosad 1
says...
3:00pm Sat 18 Aug 12
Lefty Cyclist Type says...
12:27pm Sun 12 Aug 12
By the way Echo, it's 'detOnator'.