From what i recall I think that was the start of weak, soft sentences enabled by liberal enablers. Such slaps on the wrist are commonplace now for all variety of crime, thats if the case ever gets to court.
No one is suggesting executing two ten yearolds but they were out in no time iirc(and clearly hadn’t learned their lesson, or at least one of them hadn’t).
Rumours like this are rife in backwater towns and villages about every baddun.
But one was certainly in Medomsley Detention centre for a while between Consett & Rowlands Gill IIRC.
did that not close, in the late 80's?