CRIME PUNISHED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 232, 2 October 1933, Page 8

CRIME PUNISHED.

SUPREME COURT SENTENCES

ASSAULT OX CHILD

Several prisoners who had pleaded guilty in the Police Courts to offences were brought before his Honor, Mr, Justice Herdmaii, at the Supreme Court this morning for sentence. William "MeAleece, for indecently assaulting a female aged four years, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment with hard labour. Mr. Noble said accused was a man over 30 years of ago. ''From what he tells me it was not a very bad case of assault. He has never been before the Court before, and he. has borne a good character up to the present. I cannot understand why a man of his age should want to interfere with a child of four years. It may be a question for medical'iiien." His Honor said he quite agreed it was difficult to understand why a man of prisoner's age should commit the offence on a little child. "What would have happ'ened if other people had not been in the -neighbourhood I don't know," said his Honor in passing sentence. REPORT UNSATISFACTORY. "The prisoner is C 3 years of age and has previously had a good character," said Mr. T. Henry, in pleading for William Edgar Sheetley, who appeared for sentence on a charge of breaking and entering and theft. Counsel said that for some years Sheetley had been employad by the Public Works Department; but for some months he had been out of work. He found himself without money, and in order to raise a few shillings had committed the present offence. His Honor: Prisoner; I think the bs?t thing to do with you is to send you to gaol? You don't appear to be able to Took after yourself. The police report is hot satisfactory. You will be sentenced to reformative detention for a period not exceeding two years. PRISONER'S REQUEST. "If your Honor proposes to impose a term of imprisonment the prisoner has specially requested me to ask that hard labour be imposed," said Mr. Xewbery, pleading for Ernest Albert Edward Tier, aged 23, who had admitted theft by failing to account. Counsel said that Tier had two previous convictions, but had gone straight during the last three years. His Honor: What is the reason for his request? Mr. Ve-.vbery: My client thinks he might get a shorter tcvm with hard labour. Bia Honor said that when the present offence was committed Tier was subject to a probation order. ''You were convicted once in 1924 and twice in 1930, and now, when in a position of trust as a Government storekeeper, you began taking the money for your own use. You will be sentenced to a period of reformative detention not to exceed two years."