MAN ON THEFT CHARGES

Press, Volume C, Issue 29466, 18 March 1961, Page 9

MAN ON THEFT CHARGES

Sentence Deferred For Week

Mr Justice Macarthur in the Supreme Court yesterday adjourned for a week the sentencing of Gordon Alexander Milne, aged 44. on two charges of theft involving a suitcase and contents and a record player.

Milne, because of his previous record, had been committed for sentence by the Supreme Court from the Magistrate’s Court. “A sentence of preventive detention seems to be the only punishment to impose on you in the public interest. However, in view of the report concerning your addiction to liouor, I shall remand you while a report is obtained with a view to discovering whether alcoholic aversion treatment would be of any benefit.” his Honour said. He said that the adjournment was to see whether this treatment was worth investigating. Otherwise. Milne must be sentenced to preventive detention (from three to 14 years’ gaol). Mr J. H. F. Macfarlane, for Milne, said the prisoner’s downfall was indulgence in liquor. Two days before the theft charges on which he appeared he was involved in an accident and admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital for observation. He was discharged the day after the accident but could still have been concussed. “Milne says he had one brandy because he was feeling faint, and this was his first step to the present offences. He says he cannot even remember stealing the suitcase and record player. He does not even know where the record player is,’’ counsel said. Milne was eligible for preventive detention, this being his twenty-third appearance in Court on his forty-fourth conviction. Milne could be regarded as an alcoholic, but he had recently tried to assume some of the responsibilities a normal man of his age shouldered. Counsel asked the Court to impose some punishment short of preventive detention. In reply to his Honour, counsel agreed that Milne when in prison developed a degree of security and had developed, according to the probation officer’s report, into a first-class tradesman. Counsel said that some form of alcohol aversion treatment had not been considered for Milne up to the present, but suggested that this treatment be given to him during a term of imprisonment. “My impression is that Milne will undergo anything rather than face a term of preventive detention,” Mr Macfarlane concluded. Mr C. M. Roper. for the Crown, said that Milne appeared to be addicted to crime. When arrested he was in a boarding house in Wellington, and appeared to be dodging any family responsibilities he might have.