SUPREME COURT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26117, 20 May 1950, Page 2

SUPREME COURT

THREE PRISONERS SENTENCED g X e Tn terday for sentence. > indecent Assault Barryval Robin Ullyett Neels, aged 30 an aircraftman (Mr A. C. Perry) who had nleaded guilty to two cnarges of in decent alaulUon males, was placed on probation lor three years P His Honour said that it had been his intention to se«d the prisoner to prison, because it seemed the only cate his tendencies. The submissions ot counsel, however, led his lieve that the prisoner could help Mm sell to overcome these tendencies- The prisoner was fortunate that it was the first time he had been belore the Court. In tlie circumstances, his Honour would change the intent he. had lormed and place Neels on probation. Neels was placed on probation lor three years, a condition being that he abstain from alcohol. He should Place bimselt under the care of a thoroughly compe tent psychiatrist, said his Honour. Forgery Bernard Edward Shepherd, aged 3J, a labourer, who had pleaded guilty w a charge of forging a cheque for £l4 ITS, drawn -by the Christchurch Post-Primary Schools’ Board in favour of A. Palmer, by endorsing the payee’s name, was placed on probation for two years. Mr J. E. Millar, counsel for t.’e prisonei, said that Shepherd had had domestic and financial worries. His action had been foolish and he had made restitution. His Honour said that he was prepared to believe that the offence had been more stupid than criminal. The Probation Officer recommended probation, and ** ie circumstances of the offence justified his Honour in placing the prisoner on probaCharge of Theft . Peter Kyle Mathewson, aged 19, a labourer, was placed on probation for two years when he appeared on a charge that, on March 25. at Seddonville, he stole Luo rings, a watch, and £4 in money, of a total value of £129, the property of Nellie Jane Scully. Mr R. A. Young, who appeared for Mathewson, said that there seemed no reason for the theft, except that the prisoner had been under the influence of liquor. His employer would be happy to have him back and substantial restitution had been made, said counsel. His Honour said that Mathewson had been behaving like a young fool, drinking and racketing about, thinking he was older than he was and ignoring the good advice of his home. At the prisoner s age, he had no right to be having liquor, but it would be made one of the terms of his probation that .he abstain from liquor. The prisoner would also have to make good the damage to a ring. Mathewson was placed on probation tor two years.