BAD RECORDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 118, 22 May 1933, Page 3

BAD RECORDS.

PRISONERS SENTENCED. BOTH DECLARED "HABITUALS." Described by Mr. Justice Smith as a menace to the community, two of four prisoners who came up for sentence this morning were declared habitual criminals. They were John Brady and John Mahuta Barker. . "I can't say very much for him. remarked Mr. Noble, on behalf of Brady, who had pleaded guilty to the theft of a horse and money. "He is now serving a sentence of three years for horse stealing imposed last month, and I hope your Honor will not increase it. He is 50 years of age, and for thirty years has been in and out of gaol." His Honor said that Brady had taken a horse and a man's money at Taumaranui on the pretext of buying another horse. On the road ho said he lost the horse, and then he stole the money. It was quite plain he was a menace to the community, and ought to be restrained. The sentence was one year's hard labour, to be cumulative with the term he was serving, and he would be declared an habitual criminal.

In regard to Parker, Mr. T. Henry asked his Honor to take into consideration the fact that he had given the police every assistance in regard to two charges on April 30 and May 1 last of breaking and entering and theft from dwellinghouses.

"It is said that you were drinking at the time, but you were able to give a clear account of your doings; I am prepared to accept that when h\ drink you arc much .more likely to commit these crimes," said his Honor. "However, you have a bad reputatin, though you arc of low mentality." His Honor added that prisoner had.numerous convictions since 1914, and no less than six since 1926. He, too, must be considered a menace to tho community.

A sentence of three years' reformative detention was imposed, and Parker was declared an habitual criminal.