AFRAID OF WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 219, 15 September 1924, Page 8

AFRAID OF WORK.

YOUNG MAN'S MISDEEDS. Having pleaded guilty in the Police Court on Monday last to fourteen charges of false pretences and theft,' William F. Keenan (22)- came up for sentence before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., this morning. To-day, three fresh charges were preferred against accused, for whom Mr. Matthews appeared. He • was charged with intent to defraud, did obtain from E. T. Tremain a pair of boots and a pair of shoes, valued at £2 19/, by means of a false pretence; with attempting to obtain from R. E. Inman a suit valued £12 12/, by a false pretence, and clothing valued at £4 6/4 from E. Latham, by a false pretence. Detective Sergeant Issell said that the property obtained by accused had been sold, and had not yet been recovered. Mr. Matthews said that it seemed a pity that when accused was previously before the Court that probation had not been extended. Accused came from a most respectable family. Senior Detective Hammond: It is the first time I have ever heard of a man getting probation for vagrancy. On that charge some time ago Keenan was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. Keenan seemed to be lazy and afraid of work. Mr. Poynton said that he was sorry he could not extend leniency. Accused had had every chance in the past, but evidently preferred the 'crooked path. It would be absurd to v grant probation when Keenan had preyed on business people and the public, who had to be protected from parasites. On the last charge accused would be sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour, to be followed by 12 months' reformative treatment. .