YOUTHS AND CRIME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 9

YOUTHS AND CRIME.

PROBATION OFFICER. ANXIOUS.

RAIDS ON SLOT MACHINES. THREE OFFENDERS SENTENCED. Three of the four youths arrested in connection with a series of charges of damaging telephone slot machines and postage stamp machines'in various suburbs, appeared for sentence before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., this morning. All were sentenced to terms of reformative detention. The fourth youth, a juvenile, will appear before the Children's Court. The three accused in "the dock were Albert James Clark (19), Ffederick Joseph Naden (22) and Leonard James Montrose Stanaway (18). Mr. W. Noble appeared for Naden and Clark and Mr. W. Terry for Stanaway. Mr. Noble eaid Clark had never been in any trouble before. There was no actual ringleader, and Clark's depredations were much less than those of the other two. Counsel made a strong plea for probation. The probation officer, Mr. W. J. Campbell, in evidence, said he had made careful inquiries about all three accused. He j

regretted that he was unable to recommend as the offences committed were of a serious, nature and extremely difficult to detect. They had also extended over a fairly long period. . Mr. Campbell then remarked on the increase in crime committed by youths. "Already this week 10 young men have appeared . before this Court and the Supreme Court, and have been sent to Borstal institutions," he said. "And there is another batch yet to come before the Court. The position is becoming serious, and I'm sure I don't know where it will all end." Mr. Noble: There is no need to become' panicky, Mr. Campbell. Mr. Campbell added that unprotected Government property had been extensively damaged, and it was shown that there had been co-operation in the commission of the offences. He recommended that sentences more severe than probation were necessary in order to have .a deterrent effect. The- magistrate said he must agree with Mr. Campbell's recommendations. "These men had no necessity to rob and damage these slot machines," he said. "Not only did they do a lot of damage, but they caused the Police Department much work, detectives being out all

night long looking for the offenders for several weeks." Clark was ordered to be detained at Waikeria for two years, Stanaway to be detained for not longer than two years at Invercargill, and Naden to three years' reformative detention at Waikeria.