CARS CONVERTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 282, 27 November 1940, Page 10

CARS CONVERTED.

PROBATION NO DETERRENT. TWO YOUTHS FINED. The opinion that probation was not acting as a deterrent iu cases of the unlawful conversion of motor cars, which offences were increasing, was expressed by the assistant probation officer. Mr. C. Maxted. in the Police Court yesterday afternoon, when (iustave Charles, engineer, aged 20. and hdgar I.euty. afjed 17. engineer's apprentice. came liefoie Mr. ('. R. Orr Walker S.M. Both accused pleaded guilty to two joint charges. Charles pleaded guilt v to two further charges of car conversion and also to stealing a rug worth £1 10/, and a radio worth £21. Detective-Sergeant Walsh said the offences occurred during the time Charles was absent without leave from a territorial camp. In one case the motor ear was not recovered for two weeks. Both accused were in steady employment. Leuty appeared to have been under the influence of Charles. Mr. Walsh drew the magistrate's attention to the prevalence of this class of offence which caused owners of earn fundi inconvenience. An appeal for leniency on behalf of Charles was made by Mr. J. J. Sullivan who said the offences occurred while Charles was away from home. Apart from these lapses. Charles was a wellbehaved youth who had not been in trouble previously. In sentencing the two youths, Mr. .Valker said he had given the cases much thought. He would look upon v as a youngster who had been led .'"v ■'>' »» ohler youth, and fine him , ""0 ,,e charge and convict and dis;;>iarge him on the other. Leuty would be allowed to pay the line bv instalments and until it was paid he would UtiStSkJi* Of ,hc trat l l e^-r li " ? ff Chi "' leS '" Said the '»■*«- tiate, ~s offences were muck more senous. ()„e ( . H „ hardly imagine a worse '."IT "'til Mr. Maxted thai piobation ,s hardly suitable in the-e ca ;es- nil.nor order hini a period of leformative detention and i shrink from sending such a youth to prison, even although lie showed disregard for other peoples property.'' cha!- ,a e lOS r VHS £1 ° °" e «' '> of two other l ( " ar COlnel ' sio,i ' a »d on the s he was convicted and ordered to Ime up for sentence if ealled upon Irohui' ' V< ; ars '/ Vhilo «as admitted ch-i '■ I tW ° >' ears °» theft