Heavy Fines, Probation Imposed On Youths

Press, Volume C, Issue 29516, 18 May 1961, Page 17

Heavy Fines, Probation Imposed On Youths

(From Our Own Reporter)

GREYMOUTH, May 17. Fines, totalling £l7O, and costs amounting to £25 10s, were imposed upon seven youths who appeared before Mr N. M. Izard, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court at Greymouth today, on charges of theft of wheel assemblies, petrol and beer. They were each ordered to pay 16s restitution and were admitted to probation for terms varying from 18 months to two years and a-half. The accused had pleaded guilty to a joint charge of the theft of two wheel assemblies. valued at £4B. and three gallons of petrol, valued at 10s 6d, from the Ministry of Works on April 8, and to the theft of two crates of beer, valued at £5 0s 6d, the property of Westland Breweries, Ltd., on the same date. Three of them also pleaded guilty to the theft of two wheel assemblies. valued at £22. the property of A. C. Auld, at Boddytown on April 1. The sentences imposed were as follows: Kenneth Desmond Gibson, aged 17, mine trucker, Greymouth. fined £lO and costs on each of three charges, and placed on probation for two years and-a-half. Gibson, who was the owner of the car used in the escapades of April 8, was also prohibited

from owning or driving a motor-car during the term of his probation. William Spiers Campbell, aged 18, workman, Greymouth, fined £lO and costs on each of three charges and placed on probation for two years.

Peter Burrell Blythe, 19. mine trucker, Runanga. and William Anthony Dowing, 18. workman. Greymouth, each fined £lO and costs on two charges, and placed on probation for two years. James Phillip Negri. 18. workman. Blaketown (three charges), Roy Walter Hawke, aged 17, mine trucker. Greymouth, and Peter William Inwood. aged 19. workman. Denniston (each two charges) were fined £lO and costs on each charge, and all three were placed on probation for 18 months.

Stern Warning Issued

In passing sentence, the Magistrate issued a stern warning to all the accused that they must adhere strictly to the terms of their probation. Otherwise they would be brought back to Court and dealt with severely for the present offences. Conditions of the terms of probation were that the accused do not associate with one another at any time except during the course of their work; that they open and maintain a Post Office Savings Bank account under the supervision of the probation officer.

“It appears that you have too much leisure, too much money and too much liking for drink,” said Mr ’zard. "I warn you again strictly to observe the terms of your probation. and not to congregate, even in pairs, at street corners or other places.” he added.

Beer Party at Beaeh

Detective-Sergeant B. Wilkinson said that the defendants held a beer party on the Blaketown beach. They then drove to Cobden and. on returning. found their car short of petrol. Three gallons were syphoned from a Ministry of Works truck, and two wheel assemblies were also taken from the yard. The defendants then drove to the premises of the Westland Breweries, parking the car at the rear, continued Mr Wilkinson. They entered the brewery through the roof and stole two crates of beer. This was taken to the Blaketown beach and consumed.

Campbell. Gibson and Negri were concerned in the Boddytown theft, said t'.e detective - sergeant. who added that restitution of £5 Os 6d for the beer and 10s 6d for the petrol was sought.