SENTENCE ON EASTLAKE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28606, 7 June 1958, Page 14

SENTENCE ON EASTLAKE

Term Reduced To 7 Years (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 6. The sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment imposed on Charles Kenneth Albert Eastlake, a Timaru tradesman, by Mr Justice Henry for the armed payroll robbery committed at Timaru on April 7, was today reduced to seven years by the Court ,of Appeal. Eastlake appealed against the sentence on the grounds that it was excessive having regard to his history and background. , “It was undoubtedly a calculated and deliberate ‘hold-up’ of the most serious character, having regard to the crime itself, and especially its menacing threat to life and to the manner in which it was planned and carried out. A sentence of 10 years, might not have been regarded as excessive,” the judgement, read by the president of the Court (Sir Kenneth Gresson), stated. “Nevertheless, the appellant’s personality, upbringing and previous conduct are all factors which it - is proper should be taken into consideration and. with respect, we do not think that the Judge gave enough weight to all that is to the credit of the appellant in his life up to the commission of the crime. Life In London “His ag6 at present is only 25. His early years were passed in London in war time, experiencing the hazards of raids and the privation of food shortages. “The school he attended was bombed and destroyed. His younger sisters were evacuated to the country. The older members of the family were engaged in war work. Often he came home from school to an empty house. “It is to his credit that he won a scholarship to high school where he distinguished himself in athletics and won another scholarship which took a polytechnic college where he learned a trade. Subsequently he was employed for four years by the London County Council and spent his evenings in study. Later he established himself in London as a builder and attained some degree of success and prosperity in carpentry, joinery, and plumbing. ' , , , * “About this time he had two emotional upsets—one on account of the death of his mother, of whom he was very fond, and the other by the sudden death of his fiancee. “We have come to the conclusion that the appellant is entitled to have the difficulties of his early life, his resolution in surmounting them, and his godd conduct hitherto, taken into account in reduction of what otherwise might have been a proper sentence.” . The other members of tne Court were Mr Justice North, and Mr Justice Cleary. Mr K. W. Walton, of Timaru, appeared for Eastlake, and the SolicitorGeneral (Mr H. R. C. Wild) and Mr J. W. Bain, Crown Solicitor, appeared for the Crown.