GRAVE CHARGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 185, 6 August 1932, Page 11

GRAVE CHARGE.

SENTENCE PASSED ON WIDOW UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES. COMMENT BY JUDGE. Sentence was passed by Mr. Justice Herdman in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon upon several prisoners wlio had been found guilty during the present criminal sessions.

The first case was that of Ethel Annie Wells, widow, aged 43, who liad been convicted on two charges of unlawfully using an instrument on a woman. Pleading for the accused, counsel said if there could be any degree in the class of crime of which the accused had been found guilty, the present case did not appear to be a very serious one. She was a widow, and had not made any profit out of her action. His Honor said there were certain circumstances in the case which distinguished it from other cases of the kind which had previously come before the Courts. He had had the opportunity of discussing the case with the probation officer, and also had a report from Major Gordon, of the Salvation Army. There were certain circumstances which lie would take into account, but he could not grant probation. It was a pity the persons responsible for inducing the accused to. do what she had done were not also before the Court. "1 do not propose to sentence you to a long term of imprisonment," said his Honor, "but will send you to reformative detention for a period not exceeding two years." SOUTH AFRICAN IN TROUBLE. Ross de Villiers, aged 20, described as a salesman who had come to New ZealaVid from South Africa, had been found guilty of receiving property stolen from dwelling houses in Liverpool Street and Herne Bay. His Honor said he regretted to see a young man like accused in such a position. He had been convicted previously, and would now be sentenced to reformative detention for a period not exceeding two years. YOUNG MAN'S BAD RECORD. William John Carr, aged 28, labourer, had been found guilty of receiving property stolen from the house of Thomas R. Wilkinson, an old man living in Cromwell Road, Mount Eden. "The evidence shows that you were not a dupe, but an exceedingly clever criminal," said his Honor. Accused, who had a bad record, was sentenced to two years' reformative detention.