Little shits who tried to mug my DS are being prosecuted.

[ModreB]

AIBU to be pleased. DS was 17 yo, they tried to mug him for his trainers and coat. He is a 6ft rugby player, told them to get lost and when they pulled a knife on him, he punched one in the face and they both ran off. CCTV and witnesses mean that the shits that tried it are now being prosecuted, it turns out they targeted lots of students from the same 6th form college.

We live in a big city, but a small community, and both mum's have been complaining about how tough the police have been. I know both mum's and am completely unsympathetic.

Pink, no, it's not identified or named, so no problem.

I'm so glad for you and your son that they are facing charges.
Your son sounds like quite a brave and principled young man, I would be extremely proud of him.

If my son did that (mugged someone) and I found out I’d march him to the police station myself.

Which is why he probably wouldn't do it.

My brother once came home from school late, he'd been in detention.
Dad 'What did you do to get a detention?
Bro 'Nowt'
Dad 'Well what should you have been doing?'

That's called parenting, finding out what happened before charging down to school kicking off or getting your saddo face in the papers.

@tillytrotter

I hope he won’t - my boys are very young so I’ve a long way to go but I’d feel like a real failure if that’s where they end up. I’d be utterly devastated.

Some mothers can defend their DC's against the odds, which doesn't really help in the long run; I once read a press clipping (don't know how true) about a mum complaining to the local council about her son getting concussion. He had been vandalising a bus shelter, but the brick didn't break the toughened glass, instead it bounced back and hit little treasure's head.
My parents worked on the general principle that if I was in trouble at school, it probably served me right, although if I could defend my case, they did on occasion back me up if things had genuinely been unfair.
Perhaps if the police are firm with them this time, it might give them pause for thought before they escalate to worse misdeeds.

I totally agree with your DS.

Good for him.