"A BAD GANG."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 133, 7 June 1929, Page 5

"A BAD GANG."

BROKEN UP BY POLICE.

FOUR YOUNG MEN SENTENCED

RINGLEADER SENT TO GAOL.

"These young men have been described by the police as a really bad gang, who have been stealing from different shops," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., when he sentenced Stuart Kaslett Crompton (20), Edgar William Roberts (17), Raymond Augustus Walker (20), and Anthony Howley (19) at the Police Court this morning. The four men were charged with stealing sweet jars and a quantity of sweets worth £1, the property of William Atherton, at Devonport on May 28, and on the following day with the theft of sweet jars and sweets worth £2 5/, from the shop of Peter Craig, Queen Street. Roberts and Walker were alternatively charged with receiving, and Howley was further charged with stealing an overcoat and scarf valued at £4 10/, belonging to Albert Bygrave Chappell. The four men had pleaded guilty to the charges, and for a week they had been- on remand in custody awaiting sentence. Dealing with Howley's offence, Chief Detective Hammond said the coat and scarf were stolen by him from St. Andrew's Hall, where a dance was being held. He sold the clothing to a dealer. Respecting the other charges, two of the accused went into.the sweets shops and took the jars of sweets off the counters while the other two waited outside. Afterwards they divided the spoils. The probation officer, Mr. W. J. Campbell, said Crompton and Howley were first offenders. He recommended that they be placed on probation for two years. He could not make any recommendation in the cases of Roberts and Walker. Roberts was at present on probation, and Walker had recently finished a period of probation. Walker was the ringleader of the gang.

Mr. Allan Moody, for Walker and Roberts, asked that they be given a further chance to rehabiliate themselves, as both were young.

Mr. Hunt admitted both Crompton and Howley to two years' probation, and fined Roberts £5, saying he would continue to be under Mr. Campbell's supervision.

"As for Walker," said the magistrate, "he has had his chances before, and his offences cannot be passed.over. He will be sentenced to three months' imprisonment, to be followed by twelve months' reformative detention.