Twin brothers -- called Y2K offenders by a magistrate -- have been re-committed to a juvenile home despite an expectation they could escape again.

The Hamilton Parish boys pleaded guilty in this week's Juvenile Court hearing, before Magistrate Carlisle Greaves, to eight counts of stealing and three of escaping custody.

"Why are we fighting Y2K offenders with a 1950's Act?'' Mr. Greaves asked when a Government social worker told him the boys had a history of escaping custody.

"They are known absconders and we have no place for them?'' he continued.

"These are Y2K offenders and we are going to loose the battle.'' Referring to a possible social inquiry report from probation officers, he added: "What's the point of all this? I'll just write down those famous words again. We have no choice but to commit these defendants again to an approved society.'' Mr. Greaves was reacting to news that one of the 14-year-olds had escaped from the Observatory Cottage -- a home "approved'' by the Minister of Health -- by slipping out when a fire alarm was triggered, thereby unlocking secure doors.

On other occasions, the social worker told him, residents simply did not return to the home after attending school.

Wearing school uniforms and handcuffed together, the boys were escorted by three senior Police detectives.

Later, one was taken to a rest room in the Government Administration Building only after being handcuffed again to a burly officer -- despite his complaints about being restrained.

"Man, I'm not going to run away!'' he said.

Mr. Greaves heard the boys escaped from officers investigating a series of crimes in Hamilton Parish in June.

Prosecutor Insp. Peter Giles said they were being taken to the Shelly Bay Park to recover stolen property when they gave the officers the slip.

One was re-captured a short time later, but the other was on the run for more than two weeks. He told Police that in the hours after escaping, a neighbourhood friend cut the handcuffs off.

He admitted stealing a Piaggio scooter worth $2,900 from Andrew Simpson on June 28, doing bodily harm to Dr. Elaine Hodgson on July 4 by throwing rocks at her, and breaking and entering Jennifer Belby's home and stealing $420 in cash on July 21.

In addition, a charge of breaking and entering Edwin Wilson's home and stealing $3,000 from a bedroom drawer and six beers on July 22 was also admitted, as was a charge of stealing tourist Virginia Emerson's handbag containing $200 on January 12.

He admitted spending the money on cannabis, clothing, and food and asked that eight similar offences be taken into consideration.

He also admitted possession of cannabis when he was finally caught by a special team of officers on July 23.

The boy told Mr. Greaves: "I committed these offences while I was around my friends. It was negative peer pressure. I'm going to school and doing what I've got to do.'' His brother admitted stealing a Benoto pedal cycle worth $200 on July 1 from Bert Rogers, a Cannondale cycle worth $900 belonging to Joe Barboza, and escaping custody on July 12.

Insp. Giles said the boys were originally arrested at home on July 11 where some of the items were recovered. They had admitted the charges to Police and they were assisting with the investigation.

After the boys were handcuffed and taken out of the courtroom yesterday, Mr.

Greaves told the Juvenile Court panel and Insp. Giles: "This system breeds criminals. As far as I'm concerned as long as you slap them on the wrist, they will feel they can just commit crimes.'' He added: "By the time they get older and across the street (Magistrates' Court) it's too late. They're two volcanoes.''