Soundbites

1st October 1999, 1:00am
The problem-solving exercise I’d set my group of young offenders was not going well. They were not working as a team and were reluctant to share information. Then a newcomer, Gary, who’d been sitting back watching, decided to take an active part. He took charge, organising the information and the rest of the group, and solved the problem in a few minutes.

“Gary, I’m impressed. Have you done this sort of thing before?” I asked.

“Well, I’ve organised projects before.”

“What kind of projects?” “Armed robberies.”

ANGELA FULLER

On the way to the pool with four eight-year-olds, the conversation comes round to crime. Robert says: “Round our way, there’s this bloke who’s been rapin’ women.”

I try to change the subject. “I expect the police caught him.”

“Yes, they got him Sir. But they never found the weapon.”

DAVID FINCH