IT went beyond vandalism. 

There was an element of sadism as teenagers smashed a budgerigar's cage, killing its occupants, when they trashed a Hampshire comprehensive school and a relative's house, leaving damage estimated in excess of £10,000.

It could have been worse but for an anonymous phone call to the fire brigade. 

Arriving at Hardley Secondary School on January 13, 1975, they discovered a fire burning in the science preparation room. Then much, worse, in the words of barrister Kenneth Smithies, "every kind of vandalism had been perpetrated" throughout the premises.

He told Winchester Crown Court on May 13 the extent of the orgy  of violence.

  • Large exterior windows had been smashed.
  • Doors, light fittings, tiles, mirrors and photographic equipment were strewn across floors.
  • Curtains had been torn down.
  • Cups and trophies had been stamped on and flattened.
  • Typewriter keys had been bent beyond repair.
  • Excrement had been left on the headmaster's office.
  • Carpets had been badly stained by drink and sugar.

"It was a dreadful attack," Smithies - later to become Recorder of Southampton - commented. 

But the damage had not been confined to the school. 

The home of a married sister of one of the three accused had been burgled and systematically damaged.

Judge Lewis McCreery QC, who had studied pictures of the house, interposed at that point, saying: "Such is the extent of the vandalism that they vandalised the budgerigars' cage which was smashed and also killed the inhabitants."

Each admitted their respective roles.

An 18-year-old was jailed for three years and his two younger accomplices were sent for Borstal training.

"This is the worst case of its sort I have ever had to deal with," the judge remarked, passing sentence.