TO PRISON

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 165, 15 July 1941, Page 4

TO PRISON

INSTEAD OF TRAINING CAMP

Hes simply a straight-out thief who wont take his coat off and do honest work." said Mr. F. K. Hunt S.M., in the Police Court when sentencing Leonard Inglis Spenee, a clerk, aged 27, to a term of imprisonment.

Spenee, for whom Mr. C \ bnedden appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to comply with the terms and conditions of 'his release on probation, and another of stealing an overcoat, sports coat and shirts, of a total value of £16 lit/6 on April IS.

Detective-Sergeant N'alder said hpence had been employed as an assistant in a relieving capacity by a city firm of mercers, who were unaware that the goods had been stolen from the shop. When DetectiveSergeant Brady went to interview bpence about another matter the stolen property was found hi his possession. The overcoat and sports coat had been recovered and could be returned to stock, but the shirts r ,«?n" W ,°, rn , by , Spence. I" October of 3 939. added Mr. Nalder, accused was placed on three years' probation for theft and false pretences and he was still on probation He had other convictions as well

The assistant probation officer said Spenee had failed to report as ordered, while he had only paid £■> J.V:',. as restitution out of a total of ii 34, which he had been ordered to

An appeal for a further chance was made by Mr. Snedden, who pointed out that Spenee was now in the army and training in Papakura camp "It might be the makings of him if he is allowed to remain in the army, counsel said.

In sentencing Spenee to six months imprisonment on one charge and convicting and discharging him on the other. Mr. Hunt said Spenee had not taken advantage of numerous chances given him in the past