Schoolboys Fined For Burglary

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29990, 27 November 1962, Page 14

Schoolboys Fined For Burglary

(New Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, November 26. Three schoolboys and another youth who stole property and converted or attempted to convert cars worth more than £7OOO were each fined when they appeared before Mr J. D. Willis, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court for sentence.

They are Rex Geoffrey Turner, aged 16, John Wayne Bacon, aged 19, David Michael Harbour, aged 16, schoolboys, and Charles Kenneth Agnew, aged 16, a workman.

Bacon was represented by Mr D. L. Wood, Harbour by Mr J. D. G. Neil, Agnew by Mr E. J. Anderson and Turner by Mr R. J. Henderson, Bacon appeared on five charges of burglary, eight of conversion, two of attempted conversion, and three of theft, Hairtour burglary (3), theft (1), conversion (5), Turner, burglary (I), conversion (2), Agnew burglary (3), theft (2), attempted conversion (2) and conversion (8) Bacon was fined £75 on one charge of burglary and was placed on probation for three years. On three further charges of burglary and one of car conversion, he was convicted and ordered to pay costs and placed on three years’ probation. Agnew was fined £5O on one charge of burglary and placed on probation for three years. On charges of. burglary and conversion he was convicted and ordered to pay costs and placed on three years’ probation. Harbour was fined £5O on one charge of burglary and placed on probation for three years. On a further tiwo charges of burglary and one of conversion, he was convicted and ordered to pay costs and placed on three years’ probation. Turner was fined £35 on one charge of burglary, and placed on probation for three years.

On all other charges they were convicted and discharged. Bacon is to pay £B2 19s 7d restitution. Tunner £59 17s 4d, Agnew £74 17s Id, and Harbour £32 4s 9d. School Record Good

Mr Wood said Bacon had been accredited for his university entrance this year and his all-round school record had been good. During holidays he had worked for a bank and had been invited to join the staff once the examination results became known. He had been treasurer of a church organisation and had been “scrupulously honest.” The offences had arisen from a “desire for excitement —a thrill.” The charges were of a sensational nature, but the community was partly to blame. More emphasis should be given through publicity media to the “dire consequences” of such acts. Mr Anderson said Agnew was not brilliant at school,

but had a good record. He had been in the permanent army, but through some trouble tad been dismissed and was now earning £l2 a week. “This was nonsensical raiding,” Mir Anderson said. Agnew was interested in music and was doing very well. For Harbour, Mr Neil said he had come from a Christian home and had done well in debating, sport and church organisations. Harbour was only liable for restitution of £27, Mir Neil said. Mr Henderson said that for Turner it was an intense personal tragedy. His father was a chronic invalid and the mother maintained the family by working. Turner was “essentially a good lad.” He did not stay with the boys all the time and now intended joining the regular army as a physical education trainee. “Smash and Grab” Die Magistrate said the charges were numerous, including one which was known colloquially as “smash and grab” where jewellery worth more than £lOO was taken. “That type of crime is of an alarming nature and I will show no leniency,” he said. Bacon was in his twentieth year and, because of his position at the school, he could have stopped these offences if he desired, and in this sense was the ringleader. “You have brought shame to your parents, dishonour to yourselves and soiled the good name of your old school,” said the Magistrate. “You have displayed the talents of professional criminals and will be dealt with accordingly.” The Magistrate said he had first thought of sending the four to an institution but tad decided to adopt the method of making them pay in money.