I agree with Greg B just about every step of the way. I would not have sentenced someone to jail for it but I would definitely want some kind of understanding to come out of this situation.

By the way, McGrath, you say: "I'd have thought if you're old enough to get married or join the army without asking permission from your parents..."; are you explicitly saying that in the UK youngsters of 16 can enlist in the military or get married without permission of the parents or guardian? If so, that seems just about as barbaric to me as the US alcohol laws seem to you. In these times a 16-year-old kid getting married is beyond the pale. Or risking his life for his country, for that matter. They haven't finished growing physically yet, not to mention the mental, emotional growth he or she can eventually legitimately expect. I find it hard to believer that in the UK youngsters are innately, perhaps genetically, so superior.

It would be interesting to know who the "unknown caller" was who blew the whistle and brought the police into it. I suspect it was one of the seven youngsters who did NOT take a drink.