“NIGHT OF FOLLY”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 63, Issue 248, 30 July 1943, Page 4

“NIGHT OF FOLLY”

ACTIONS BY TWO YOUNG MEN. MANY CHARGES ADMITTED. FINED AND PLACED ON PROBATION. As a* sequel to what, the Magistrate (Mr I-I. Morgan, S.M.), described as “a night of utter folly,” Ivan Ernest Woolley and Henry Raymond Greenaway, both aged 20, of Lyndhurst, appeared in the Ashburton Magistrate s Court this morning on a long' list of charges of mischief and theft. They pleaded guilty on all counts. Defendants were jointly charged as follows: (1) Damaging six panes of glass valued at £4 14s 6d, the property of the Chertsey Hall Committee; (2) damaging two panes of glass valued at £1 Is, the property of William Robinson; (3) .stealing a gear lever knob valued at 10s, the property of Leonard James Alexander. Woolley faced the following charges: (1) damaging a saucer valued at 3s, the property of the Chertsey Hall Committee; (2) stealing a military overcoat, valued at £4 4s, the property of the Government; (3) stealing a gear lever knob valued at 10s, the property of Leonard James Alexander: (4) stealing a fuel tank cap valued at 10s the property of John Pegler Cameron. Following were the charges against Greenaway: (1) Stealing a headlamp globe valued at 4s 6d, tlie property of Alexander; (2) damaging a headlamp glass valued at 12s 6d, the property of Alexander; (3) stealing a radiator cap valued at 10s, the property of Susan Smith; (4) stealing a fuel tank cap valued at 10s, the property of Cameron.

Each defendant was dealt with as follows: Fined £5 on the first joint charges and ordered to pay half the damage; fined £1 on the second charge and ordered to pay half the damage; convicted on all other charges and ordered to make restitution; placed on probation for 12 months and prohibited from talcing in toxicating liquor during that period. Constable A. J. Adams, of Rakaia, stated that both defendants who were under the influence of liquor, made n nuisance of themselves in the Chertsey Hall, where a dance for soldiers’ was being held. After the dance Woolley wanted to play the piano. He re fused to stop and the lid was closed on his fingers. He entered the ticket box and broke a saucer used for change. Defendants had asked to he admitted to the Chertsey Hotel at about 2.30 a.m. and when refused had thrown stones through two windows and made off in a car. With the licensee’s motor-car the porter pursued them and took their number. When accused they admitted their guilt and attributed their actions to the fact that they were drunk. They were having what they called “a final flutter” before turning over a new leaf. Mr W. H. Woods, who appeared for both defendants, pleaded for leniency on the grounds that neither man had been in trouble before and both had made a complete disclosure to Iho police. Mr Woods also suggested a suspended sentence as punishment. “It is putting it mildly to say that you indulged in a night of uncontrolled folly,” said the Magistrate in imposing the penalties. “You .placed yourselves in a position where you will have several convictions recorded against you. These acts were more than offences —• they amount to crimes. You removed several articles belonging' t’o other people and that constitutes theft. You are not going to escape without punishment. There is an inclination toward larrikinism among youths which must he curbed.