The year was 1963, same year that the Beatles had their first number one hit single. A fourteen year old boy, caught on an errand of mischief, was brought before local magistrates and sentenced to be detained for two years at an approved school. This section of the book is based on absolute truth and fact. Not only does the story reveal the severity of such a life, it is written in a compellingly honest style that portrays the naive and simple humour of the situation of youth and circumstance, as seen through the eyes of the young rogues and adventurers who were relieved of their liberty for their misdemeanours. The like of which, compared to the deeds of many of their modern culpable counterparts, would today seem trifling by comparison. After his release back into the community, the subject never completely escapes from the blunderings of boyhood, and we disclose some extraordinary episodes of his life. After forty years spent trying to evade the wrath of society, he decides to abscond to France. Just as his French desires seem likely to be fulfilled, the rebel is summoned to appear before a Judge, to provide good reason why he should not be committed to prison, which had been the nightmare born way back in his childhood and from which he had never truly escaped.

Although the book is very largely based on truth, some of the names and part of the latter content of the narrative have been changed to protect the innocent.