Two schoolboys pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing a handbag from a secretary in broad daylight.

The 15-year-old and 14-year-old were caught after a Police investigation later that day.

The younger boy was released to his parents yesterday pending a social inquiry report from probation officers. Meanwhile, his partner in crime was sent back to a juvenile home by Magistrate Carlisle Greaves.

He was sent to the Observatory Cottage in December for similar break-ins but was free on April 19 when the crime was committed.

The boys, both from Pembroke, admitted they planned to go on a stealing spree at about noon that day while at the younger boy's home.

Mr. Greaves heard they walked to the Physical Abuse Centre -- formerly the Old Woodland's School -- where the older boy observed secretary Rasheeka Baisden's purse under her desk.

Police prosecutor Eunice Lambert said he walked in and gave Ms Baisden a description of a man who was waiting in a taxi outside to talk to her.

As Ms Baisden's supervisor coincidentally fitted the description, she promptly went outside to speak to him.

She returned a short time later to find her purse missing.

The younger boy had entered the room through a window but he left behind one glove they had taken with them for the heist.

The handbag contained a purse, $30 and confidential papers but nothing was recovered.

P.c. Lambert told the younger boy: "When you want to get involved in things that benefit you, you'll be rejected because of your previous conviction.'' The boy's father was present for the hearing while the older boy's parents also attended.

His father told the court: "He's small and he'll follow along with the wrong friends. I've tried to tell him what he should and should not do but I can't be there all the time.

The man and his son will return to court on July 26 when the report will be ready for sentencing.