THEFT OF CHEQUE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29330, 8 October 1960, Page 4

THEFT OF CHEQUE

Man Admitted To Probation

Jack Harry Payne, aged 52 a social security beneficiary, who was said to have a “terrible list” of previous convictions, was placed on probation by Mr Jusnee Richmond when he appeared for sentence in the Supreme Court yesterday for theft of a cheque.

You have a very bad list of offences in your earlier life, but I am impressed by the fact that in later years you have made substantial efforts to mend your way of life,” his Honour told Payne.

His Honour warned Payne that, he had qualified for preventive detention. If he offended .again his punishment was likeiy to be a severe one. z

Payne was admitted to probation for three years, special conditions being that he make restitution of £3 0s 6d, the value of the cheque, and pay £6 6s towards the cost of his prosecution.

Payne, npt represented . by counsel, said he' had four young childrep and a young wife. He had battled hard since coming out of prison 18 months ago and had obtained a house for his family.

He had a disability in his .left wrist and every time he got a job he could not stick it. He wished to go and work on a farm. If he was sent to prison he would lose his home and his wife would not stick to him. Mr C. M. Roper, for the Crown, said Payne had a terrible list of previous convictions but a Magistrate, sentencing him for another offence, had taken the bold step of putting -■ Payne on probation. The present offence occurred before Payne was put on probation and the experiment, counsel submitted, had hardly had time to prove whether or not Payne was going to take advantage of the Court's leniency. His Honour said he agreed with Mr Roper’s view.