"MEAN AND DESPICABLE"

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 12

"MEAN AND DESPICABLE"

STOLE SAVINGS OF LIFETIME

JUDGE BELIEVES MONET PLANTED.

FOUR YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent) NAPIER, Friday. "You have been found guilty of a mean and despicable crime, and you will be sentenced to hard labour for four years," said the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, in the Supreme Court this morning, when passing sentence on Peter Rcilly, taxi driver, who had been, found guilty of the theft of £800 from James Joseph Leonard, a retired fanner. Mr. Tattersall, who appeared for the prisoner, said he had not previously been convicted of any offence. His Honor: He had £425 of Leonard's money. Where is it? Counsel: My instructions are that he has not any. His Honor: Without any reflection oa you, Mr. Tattersall, I believe he has the bulk of the money planted away where he can get it. Counsel: I have made inquiries and Reilly says he has no money. His Honor: Well, I don't believe him. Counsel: Reilly's health.is in a precarious condition. Since he was arrested he has lost over two stone in weight. His Honor: That is all right, but Leonard has lost his life's savings. The sentence I propose to pass depends on whether he is prepared to make restitution. After conferring with Reilly, counsel said he could only repeat his instruc- ' tions. His Honor, to accused: I want to giva you a last opportunity. On April 1 you had £425 of Leonard's money. Are you prepared to say where it is or what . has become of it? Prisoner: I gambled it all away. "You have been convicted, and very properly convicted, of a mean and despicable crime," said his Honor. "I have no doubt when you came in contact with Leonard you intended to get his money, and you got it. Leonard was leaving the hotel where he was staying to avoid the temptation of drink, and then you led him into great temptation and he is now without a shilling. You took advantage of the earthquake and the fire to cover up your theft. "I gave you the opportunity of restitution, but you refused. I have no doubt you have the money planted somewhere so it will be available for you. If that is so, it will not be available for a very long time."