PROBATION ENDED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 267, 25 August 1930, Page 4

PROBATION ENDED.

THREE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT

(Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, August 23. “It is useless to put men like this on probation,” said the Probation Officer in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, referring to the ease of a ship’s fireman, James Ryan Gordon, who was charged with failure to comply with the terms of his release on probation. Gordon pleaded guilty to the charge. Mr 11. P. LawryS.M., was on the Bench.

Mr W. H. Darby (Probation Officer) said that, accused was released on probation on April 28 on a charge of theft. His case was a particularly mean one as he had stolen from a mate’s swag. From Dunedin, Where he was charged, lie went to Oamaru, but failed to report there. He was then arrested and sent need to two months’ imprisonment at Christchurch. When the accused reported to the Probation Officer on his release, he received assistance. He said h-e was going to Wellington, hut had not done so. Mr Darby said that he was going down Colombo Street yesterday and saw Gordon there under the influence of liquor. Witness kept him under observation for three-quarters of an hour during which time Gordon accosted no less than six persons, two of whom were also drunk. Gordon used most objectionable language to the police officers when arrested. The accused had a very bad list. Gordon was convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour on the original charge of theft.

The accused asked the Magistrate if that ended the probation. “Yes,” replied Mr Lawry.