SUPREME COURT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23301, 10 April 1941, Page 12

SUPREME COURT

PRISONERS SENTENCED On charges of breaking, entering and theft and of breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime, Eric Alfred Wahrlich, a labourer, aged 31, was admitted to probation for two years in the Supreme Court yesterday by Mr Justice Northcroft. His Honour said he had read a statement by the prisoner and he found it difficult to hope that the prisoner would have sufficient resolution to maintain the purpose set out in his letter. He had a very bad record and when last before the Supreme Court in 1939 had been sentenced to a year’s imprisonment, He had been convicted of theft soon after his release and the Magistrate had then given him a chance by suspending his sentence. His Honour said he had considered warning the prisoner that on his next appearance he would be declared an habitual criminal. In view of the kindly interest taken in the prisoner by the Salvation Army, he did not propose to send the prisoner to gaol. The prisoner must, however, accept the directions of Major Thorne as to where he should live. . , , James William Nlcholls, a farm labourer, aged 19 (Mr D. W. Russell), who had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court to a charge of indecent assault on a female, was convicted and discharged. Mr Russell said the prisoner had worked on farms since he was 14 and was a very good worker. He had been lonely and apt to brood on his position. He could find a home with boys of his own age at his aunt’s home in the city. His Honour said he proposed to assume that in such a home, guided by mature advice, the prisoner might be expected to overcome his undesirable tendencies. It was a very grave offence, but he would take into account the special circumstances outlined by counsel.