THEFT OF SHEEP FARMER SENTENCED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 58, 9 March 1944, Page 2

THEFT OF SHEEP FARMER SENTENCED

THREE YEARS' PROBATION

"I plead guilty, but actually I not steal the sheep, and there is evidence that I did," tearfully <]{, clared William Henry Blowes (30) a farmer, from Mahoenui, near Te Kuiti, who came before Mr. Justice Fair to-day for sentence on an admitted charge of sheep stealing. I get probation," he added, "1 go through with the constables of the district and bring to Court those who were responsible."

In reply to his Honor the prisoner said his whole flock of 1200 to 1300 J sheep had been gone through, and fc only eight stolen sheep were found His Honor remarked that the pro.' bation officer did not recommend probation on account of the prepo. 1 lence of sheep' stealing in the di s ! trict. At the same time it was I the prisoner's favour that the num. | her of sheep found stolen was small and that Blowes' character was that f of a hard-working, well-conducted f man with no previous offence. The ■ case was not one for exemplary k punishment. Mr. Cleal, for the Crown, said it > was in the prisoner's favour that he told the detectives before the flock was gone through they would find eight stolen sheep. At the same time such an offence was difficult to detect, and it was necessary to make the punishment a deterrent to others. The prisoner was not strong • mentally or physically. "I took the blame, but I didn't do § it," pleaded the prisoner. "You have to take responsibility for what you signed in your statement," commented his Honor, who added that he would release the prisoner on probation for three years. The prisoner was warned that he must not go back with a feel- s ing of bitterness or malice against anyone else, but must endeavour to settle down to honest hard work.