CONCOCTING CRIME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 98, 28 April 1933, Page 3

CONCOCTING CRIME.

DURING IDLE HOURS. YOUNG MEN SENTENCED. JUDGE'S QUESTION UNANSWERED. "I don't know, "but it seems to me that the only thing I can offer the Court as the reason for the offences committed is that, being out of work, they had much idle time to concoct the offences they committed," said Mr. W. Noble at the Supreme Court to-day when appearing for James Bernard Lawless, aged 25, and Jack Kavanagh, aged 22. Lawless and Kavanagh, who were brought before Mr. Justice Herdman for sentence, had admitted seven charges of breaking and entering a shop, garage, and warehouse and theft therefrom, three of breaking and entering a shop by night and theft therefrom, and one 01 theft. Mr. Noble said the only possible plea he could offer on behalf of the prisoners was their youth. "It seems a pity that Kavanagh, a youth of 22 years, should bo before the Court on such a series of crimes," he said, "but it may be a condition of the times, and y-oung men out of employment have sfc> much idle time. For' Lawless, there is nothing I can say. He has been before the Court previously and has just about qualified as an habitual criminal. His Honor: He has qualified now. "This is one of the most serious cases of breaking and entering I have had to consider for some time," said his Honor. "All told, from different establishments about £600 worth of property was stolen." Addressing the prisoners, his Honor said, "Where is that property?" Kavanagh: Been disposed of. His Honor: To whom? Neither of the prisoners answered. His Honor: Very well. The police say that you stubbornly refused to say what you did with the property. About £300 worth has been recovered. Lawless, you deserve no consideration at all. Although a young man yon have qualified as an habitual criminal. You have been in and out of prison since 1926. Lawless was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour, and Kavanagh to two years' hard labour.