YOUNG IN YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1932, Page 8

YOUNG IN YEARS.

BUT OLI> IN CRIME. ROBBERY FROM DWELLINGS. A sentence of one year's imprisonment with hard labour, to be followed by a period of reformative' detention not exceeding two years,'.was passed by his Honor Mr. Justice Smith, in the Supremo Court this morning on Charles Summerville Vincent, aged 24, who had pleaded guilty to charges of theftclothing and other articles valued at £51, the property of' Andrew Murray, Orakei, and articles valued at £15, the property of E. 'W. Armstrong, St. Helier's'Bav.

Mr. J. J. Sullivan, who appeared for accused, said the young man's record was a bad one, but in consideration of his years there'was the hope that'he might yet reform. Counsel asked if the Court would impose a sentence of hard labour and not give accused a long period of reformative detention, and not declare him- an habitual criminal, although on his record the Courts would be.quite entitled to do so.'

i His Honor said prisoner had pleaded guilty, to charges of theft of goods and chattels- from two dwelling houses. His record was a bad one. He was only 24 years of. age and. had already, qualified to be declared an habitual criminal. He had already been under probation, had had Borstal treatment and reformative treatment. He again came before the Court, and apparently must have committed the-offences very shortly after he had come out of prison. In view of his youth prisoner -would not be declared an habitual criminal, but if he came before the Court again he could regard it as certain that he would be so declared. His Honor thought the proper sentence was one year's imprisonment, with hard labour, to be followed by a period of detention not exceeding two years on each charge, sentences to be concurrent.

At the request of Mr. V. N. Hubble, who appeared for the Crown, tho judge ordered the return to the owners of the recovered property.