damage and/or trespassing at Prospect Primary School.

But another child -- aged eight -- walked away free after pleading not guilty to the charges -- even though the other seven claimed he was responsible for the original break-in and caused much of the damage.

Parents confirmed their offspring had been punished since the incident on June 24 and hinted the children had done some tidying up at the school.

Under the Young Offenders Act any details about the children which may lead to their identification cannot be printed.

Magistrate Carlisle Greaves had his hands full during the hearing, throwing one father out of the court and threatening to "send him to Westgate'' for contempt of court. The man later apologised.

School vandals in court And the Magistrate also had to calm the situation after parents grumbled about the procedure and the dropping of the case against the eight-year-old.

Parents and children complained "that can't be right'', "he's going to get away with it'' and "that isn't justice''.

But Mr. Greaves explained he had to protect accused people's rights and added that it is the Crown that decides who is prosecuted.

And he told the children they "must take responsibility for what you've done'' before ordering them to return next month in order to allow time for social inquiry reports to be prepared. Mr. Greaves wants an indication whether all are willing to return to the school, apologise and clean it up for at least a week.

"They say boys will be boys -- and girls will be too,'' Mr. Greaves concluded after the heated two hour hearing. "Come up with some nice ideas for them.

I'm sure we don't have any parents who object to them cleaning up the school? Right?'' After several children suggested their displeasure at the school, Mr. Greaves said: "Did this school do something to you all? People usually have pride in their school.

"One day you will look back at Prospect and you'll see it fondly. You'll see it positively and you'll want to go back and correct what you've done wrong.

That's what I want to know, why destroy your own school?'' Each member of the group apologised in turn for entering Prospect between June 24 and 25 and causing damage and stealing various items there.

A small amount of money was also stolen and the children spent some of it on pizza.

They got into the school via an insecure assembly hall door for the rampage, which included spreading paint on the floors and walls, knocking over tables and chairs, knocking over a bookshelf, and breaking a window.

A 14-year-old boy admitted entering the school but explained he did it to get the younger children out.

The charge of damaging school property was dropped after he maintained his not guilty plea, although he did plead guilty to trespassing.

Another 14-year-old boy admitted trespassing and damaging property but said he broke the window accidentally after the eight-year-old had thrown an object at him and he retaliated by throwing it back.

And like the other older boy, he said he only trespassed to get the other children out.

Three girls, ages ten and 11, admitted entering the school on both days with two admitting they had done some damage. The third denied the charge.

Another girl denied damaging property but said she had stolen popsicles, soda, a game and a camera.

And a 12-year-old boy admitted entering the school, denied causing damage, but admitted stealing $5 in cash.

All of the children eloquently questioned why charges against the eighth were dropped -- leading to a question and answer period about the prosecution's powers with a fatherly Mr. Greaves.

In mitigation, the children apologised for their actions but did not let up in their anger at being left "holding the bag'' as one parent complained.

"I'm very sorry for what I've done. Why isn't (the eight year old) being prosecuted when he did more stuff than I did?'' one girl asked.

One of the older boys said: "I'm sorry for the damage that I did to the school. I didn't steal anything.

"I didn't eat any of that pizza,'' he added, "and the only reason I went into the school was to tell them all to stop.'' A girl said: "I'm sorry for going in. Yes, I did take a camera and soda.

"But I'd like to know why he's not going to be prosecuted for the damage that he did,'' she added. "I have evidence against him. I could testify in court.'' Others agreed they were also willing to give evidence against the boy.

But by then he had been released by Mr. Greaves, over the protests of the seven children and their parents, prompting the Magistrate to shout "everybody shut up!'' After spending more than an hour cooling off with a Police officer, the ejected father returned quietly to the court to watch the end.

Without prompting, he said: "I'd like to apologise to you and to the kids for my behaviour.

"I just couldn't understand why the charges were being dropped against that boy,'' he continued. "I was frustrated. They're all saying he went in long before them.

"He's trouble. I feel he's going to be coming back before the courts and these children -- although they are wrong, including my daughter -- won't be.'' Mr. Greaves accepted the apology then explained his view of English Common Law.

"You must trust the Magistrate,'' he told the parents. "I've been in courts all my adult life and this is the one place I'm sure that you'll get your rights protected.

"Politicians, they'll take your vote and then turn around and take your rights away. Police, they'll make all kinds of promises and then take away your rights. The Army, huh! They'll shoot you down in the streets of your own country.

"But around the world in this system the courts will protect your rights,'' he added. "I know you don't know the procedures. If they were there and did any kind of damage then they are guilty.

"If they just turned over tables then that is guilty to the whole charge. If they didn't do any damage then they'll say so. You were not there.

"They know what happened and they'll tell the truth,'' he concluded. "Nobody is going to railroad your children. Not while I'm here.'' Trashed: Some of the damage that was caused following last year's outbreak of violence at Prospect Primary School.