son was committed to a juvenile home for housebreaking.

Their 15-year-old admitted a series of break-ins in Sandys Parish in December and January before Magistrate Carlisle Greaves.

He was sent to a residential home under the care of social workers for three years for 12 counts of breaking and entering and stealing.

The spree, Mr. Greaves heard, had netted some $10,825 in seven gold watches, four gold chains, seven gold rings, a gold and pearl locket, and $1,400 cash.

Mr. Greaves committed the boy after hearing he was on probation until May for receiving stolen property in 1998.

Only $4,500 from the heists was recovered. Six other break-ins were also taken into consideration for sentencing.

He also admitted stealing a live .38 calibre bullet from one home, and admitted the charge of possessing it without a licence.

The boy's father told Mr. Greaves he believed his son was part of a "ring'' that knocked on doors hoping no one was home and then broke in.

"They had a little system. If somebody answers, they just ask if so-and-so was home and then walk away,'' the man said.

The magistrate had lectured the boy on the seriousness of the crimes, saying: "Are you not afraid that you may meet some serious damage and injury going into someone's home? "What you going to do if somebody is there. I've never seen anything like that. I have to say that is smart. Youngsters today are smarter than we were.

Low literacy? Huh! Look at them and computers, failing in school and they make them machines light up.'' When Mr. Greaves said "I can't understand how you have softer options today than what you had in the past'' the boy's father said: "I agree with you, your Honour. I agree, he's getting 92 percent in school.'' Turning to the boy, Mr. Greaves said: "This is like your job. $5,000 in one day, you make more money in a day than the monkey money a magistrate makes! "I see no need for a social inquiry report,'' he continued. "Taking into account the pattern of workmanship (in the crimes), we are satisfied that the penalty increases beyond probation.''