Criminal damage by minors

[Cupramax]

Don’t want to go into too much detail as the st is hitting the fan somewhat locally today, but just interested what is parental liability for criminal damage caused by kids over the age of 10?

We have a recent local problem with a group of kids breaking windows on multiple houses using a catapult and tonight they tried it with the wrong person (not me, although I am a victim) and got caught and handed to plod.

Is there any legal recourse to recover costs of damage they caused?

[Graveworm]

Depends if they go to court.

[Evolved]

Doubtful! Simply isn’t worth the energy unfortunately.

Back in my day (god I sound old @42), if caught I’d have gotten a proper hiding so tended not to act like a feral moron.

[Alex_225]

Interesting post.

We had a kid from the local school claim to kick a stone (evidence points to him throwing it) at my neighbours car and shattering the rear window. Pure coincidence a Police van was using our road to turn round so flagged them down, they went and spoke to the kid as he didn't run but just kind of dithered about. They took him to the school and it went from there.

I was intrigued what would happen with that as clearly at 13/14 he'd not have the money to pay, are his parents liable for the damage? The neighbours paid their £75 excess which I assume will be paid by the parents but would the insurance claim the overall cost off them?

[anonymous-user]

Can't see it being any harm talking to the parents to sort it out. If that doesn't work, then small claims.

[PF62]

flashbang said:

then small claims.

For the child or the parents, and if the latter on what basis.

[anonymous-user]

No basis. A parent is not liable for a civil wrong committed by a child.

Some here are waaaay too litigious. Small claims this, small claims that. They are like the old nutter in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

[Cupramax]

Breadvan72 said:

No basis. A parent is not liable for a civil wrong committed by a child.

Some here are waaaay too litigious. Small claims this, small claims that. They are like the old nutter in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Thank you, I’d guessed as much but was interested in the legalities as there is a bit of a baying mob on the local faceache page as it turns out over 10 houses have been done, including an old lady who’s in a right state as a result of the shock.

[sunbeam alpine]

Breadvan72 said:

No basis. A parent is not liable for a civil wrong committed by a child.

Some here are waaaay too litigious. Small claims this, small claims that. They are like the old nutter in The Hound of the Baskervilles.

Does go some way to explaining why parts of the UK are going down the stter fast. I note you mention civil wrong - would there be a different outcome were it do be classified as a criminal act?

[Cupramax]

The police have recorded it as criminal damage.

[carboy2017]

your time or your Dads time?

as if your 42 years now then your teen years were 1989- 1996 and I believe corporal punishment was not used in schools then and certainly not by the local bobby unlike your fathers era (which I believe was a good thing as I see many kids causing damage to public property now in the knowledge that the cops wont touch them apart from sending them away)

Evolved said:

Doubtful! Simply isn’t worth the energy unfortunately.

Back in my day (god I sound old @42), if caught I’d have gotten a proper hiding so tended not to act like a feral moron.

[budgie smuggler]

Cupramax said:

Don’t want to go into too much detail as the st is hitting the fan somewhat locally today, but just interested what is parental liability for criminal damage caused by kids over the age of 10?

We have a recent local problem with a group of kids breaking windows on multiple houses using a catapult and tonight they tried it with the wrong person (not me, although I am a victim) and got caught and handed to plod.

Is there any legal recourse to recover costs of damage they caused?

Not in the Wickford/Billericay area are you?

[Cupramax]

No, not in London area at all.

[Davie_GLA]

Hmm, happened to me. Some little darlings struck a window with a red chip stone onto my barely installed new window, caused a pin size hole but the whole thing had to be replaced.

I had the lot on CCTV, they knew who it was and nothing ever came of it.

To coin what one of the cops said "we are powerless here, even if we charge them their record resets at 18".

[anonymous-user]

sunbeam alpine said:

Does go some way to explaining why parts of the UK are going down the stter fast. I note you mention civil wrong - would there be a different outcome were it do be classified as a criminal act?

Nope, socio economic and behavioural issues in parts of the UK have little or nothing to do with this very long established principle.

An act can be a crime as well as a civil wrong. Parents are not liable for crimes or civil wrongs committed by their children.

[sunbeam alpine]

Breadvan72 said:

sunbeam alpine said:

Does go some way to explaining why parts of the UK are going down the stter fast. I note you mention civil wrong - would there be a different outcome were it do be classified as a criminal act?

Nope, socio economic and behavioural issues in parts of the UK have little or nothing to do with this very long established principle.

An act can be a crime as well as a civil wrong. Parents are not liable for crimes or civil wrongs committed by their children.

Here in Belgium parents are responsible for both civil and criminal actions. Every family has compulsory "familiale" insurance which covers any aspect of accidental damage - like your children kicking a ball into the road and causing a crash. It costs less than €100 per year.

I've read newspaper reports of parents being ordered to pay for criminal damage.

[Brads67]

Never mind.

At least here in Scotland they will be safe from a smack for any misdemeanor.

[Leicester Loyal]

Davie_GLA said:

Hmm, happened to me. Some little darlings struck a window with a red chip stone onto my barely installed new window, caused a pin size hole but the whole thing had to be replaced.

I had the lot on CCTV, they knew who it was and nothing ever came of it.

To coin what one of the cops said "we are powerless here, even if we charge them their record resets at 18".

Our country is an absolute disgrace isn't it.

[BIG DUNC]

I thought parents were liable for their kids actions up until the age of 18, so if a young teenager causes damage, then the parent has to pay.

Is that not the case?

[vincenz]

BIG DUNC said:

I thought parents were liable for their kids actions up until the age of 18, so if a young teenager causes damage, then the parent has to pay.

Is that not the case?

And if you don't have parents?