The post you are reporting:
There are many calls upon the public purse that, on the face of it, appear unreasonable to the passengers on the average 'Clapham Omnibus'; car-usage allowance for the not-so-local councillors, winter fuel allowances for those resident in Spain etc. etc.
There are many instances too of Criminal Damage, committed by the young, who go on to get a slap on the wrist and are subject to an order to pay some derisory amount by way of compensation. On such occasions there is often a cry for the parents to be forced to foot whatever bill in full and PDQ.
What have either of these young people done that was in any way wrong?
The Council is, quite rightly, In Loco Parentis. Who is to pay for the further education of these two, in the circumstance that State Aid is unavailable, if not the 'parents'?
Whoever is at fault here, if fault there is, it cannot be these two young people, can it? The Judge too, can only act as the law allows.