Disgust at caution for yobs who wrecked hall (From Echo)

Disgust at caution for yobs who wrecked hall

4:00pm Monday 3rd May 2010 in News

COMMUNITY leaders are furious after a group of yobs who smashed a memorial hall were let off with a caution.

Three youngsters caused £4,500 damage to Stambridge Memorial Hall by flooding the toilets, dancing on the roof and scrawling graffiti over the outside.

Parish councillors have been forced to close the First World War memorial building, which has been boarded up since February’s mindless attack.

Phil Capon, Rochford district councillor for Hawkwell South and parish councillor for Stambridge, said: “I’m disgusted that’s all they got.

“They should have been forced to go and paint over it. It’s time that when people do vandalism, they correct what they’ve done or pay to have it corrected.

“That’s £4,500 worth of damage and we are going to have to take it out of the coffers, which the parish council hasn’t got at the moment. The hall is all boarded up and we can’t open it because of health and safety.

“It’s not just the graffiti, they smashed in the roof and caused the rain to get into the gents and disabled toilets that had just been refurbished. We haven’t got the money to repair it at the moment.”

Mr Capon is now appealing for a business to come forward and help to repair the damage.

He said: “If there’s any company that feels the need to be doing more charity work whether it’s decorating or carpentry, all help is welcome. It’s a First World War memorial and with all our boys in Afghanistan at the moment, it’s important to keep it open and keep it going.”

A 12-year-old boy and 13-year-old boy from Rochford were given a final warning after they admitted causing two counts of criminal damage. If they are arrested for another offence, they will be brought before Southend Youth Court.

An 11-year-old boy from Rochford was given a reprimand. A fourth boy, who is aged 13 and from Rochford, was released without charge.