Adam Taylor, 17, was sentenced to 12 months in custody after he was confronted by school head Allison Crompton near Middleton Technology School in Rochdale. She had chased him away as pupils were leaving after she saw him `slashing' a knife at them.
Taylor was sentenced in Rochdale after pleading guilty to affray, possession of an offensive weapon and breaching an Asbo. Dad Steve Taylor, 46, of Failsworth, Oldham, said he felt `50 per cent responsible'. He thinks his divorce from Adam's mum when the boy was 15 triggered his problems.
He says he visited his son at the Young Offender Institution where the boy said he wants to see the headteacher, apologise and `get his life back on track'.
Mr Taylor said: "He was an idiot. I won't defend his actions - I can't. He won't be getting any sympathy from me. But I do feel 50 per cent responsible.
"Until myself and his mum had problems, he was a lovely kid. He loved football and was a cracking player, but he went off the rails and ended up with the wrong crowd."
Mr Taylor believes his son's story is similar to that of many who end up causing trouble in large groups."Gangs are a problem," he said. "A lot who get into trouble are fine on their own. But a few together think they can do what they want."
Mr Taylor said he would welcome a return to National Service and he would `love' to see his son in the forces.
He said: "My dad did his National Service and my brother was in the Army. They say it breaks you down and builds you up again, gives you pride. That's what's lacking in Adam and a lot of kids - they have no pride."
He also believes courts are `too lenient': "It sounds awful, but Adam will probably be out in six months and it's wrong. He should serve the full sentence.
"The kids have no fear. They run the schools these days - not the teachers.
"They know the worst that will happen is getting shouted at. I got caned and I didn't do it again. There was respect."
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alison torock, manchester (05/11/2008 at 08:53)
Tezza, Tyldesley (05/11/2008 at 09:43)
He will be blaming the schools and the government next.
No mate it’s all your fault, he’s your son so you should have taken responsibility for his actions
I know lots of people whose parents have split up and they aren’t knife wilding thugs. Because even though their parents were not together they still took responsibility for their kids.
And again we get this bull about bringing back national service, why should someone who has chosen a career in the armed forces be saddled with some scumbag who has no wish to be there.
kimsback, stockport (05/11/2008 at 09:50)
Peter Beagrie`s beagle (05/11/2008 at 10:06)
alison torock, manchester (05/11/2008 at 10:44)
steve says that HE is 50% to blame and presumably his wife is also 50% to blame so like you say him and his wife are 100% to blame, simple arithmatic
Jodie (05/11/2008 at 11:32)
Tezza, Tyldesley (05/11/2008 at 12:02)
When you have children you should take responsibility for them 100%, this was not this lads first run in with the law was it, if he was a good parent he should have nipped it in the bud.
And to say that he is speaking out against the thugs, well did he do this the first time his son did something wrong NO he’s only doing it because he got caught, and he thinks it might make him look good.
alison torock, Manchester
So which half does his wife get the good little boy half, don’t be so pedantic.
There both as much to blame as each other.
Lets not be drawn in by this man, he’s not a brave man he’s just someone trying to make himself look a bit better.
Esso Blues brudder,, Manchester (05/11/2008 at 15:38)
synikal, Manchester (05/11/2008 at 15:39)
Jodie (05/11/2008 at 16:29)
You are suggesting that every thug in the world has a bad parent behind them. This man has no reason to speak out against his son but I for one think that it makes a change to the parents who just dont care.
Mike, Manchester (05/11/2008 at 19:30)
I don't agree with that, Tezza. Kids that age are capable of making their own decisions on how they behave.
gemboblyobs (06/11/2008 at 16:46)
In the matter of it being 100% his and his ex wifes fault, that is utter and complete stupidness.
If the authorieites had put their foot down the first time he breeched the code of conduct that was set upon him, and punished him accordingly for his actions then maybe his son would not have done it again and learned the appropriate lesson. Mr Taylor is being brave and taking the blame for something that is not entirely his fault, his son is 17 and soon going to be an adult in the eyes of the law, doesnt that make him old enough to make his own mind up on what he feels is right and wrong?
Mr Taylor is NOT responsible for his sons actions, but putting the blame upon hiself, because like all good parents out there, do not want their children being slandered. Mr Taylor is allocating some of the balme to himslef so his son is let of lightly in the eyes of the public.
Esso Blues brudder,, Manchester (07/11/2008 at 22:12)
Kids feel it when they know their parents are not interested in them, they can then feel not wanted in some cases, and they start on a road to ruin.
kids have emotions and fears especially when they feel no one wants them you have to give as much as a loving environment as possible to yours kids and put them on the right road