SENTENCES UPHELD

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30452, 28 May 1964, Page 4

SENTENCES UPHELD

Four Years' ' Gaol Two appeals against sentences of four years' impels- 1 onment were dismissed by , Mr Justice Maearthur in the Supreme Court yesterday. His Honour said be agreed with counsel for the appellants that four years’ imprisonment was a long sentence, but. having regard to the appellants' records, he could • not say it was manifestly excessive. John Andrew Bennett, aged 28. a workman (Mr S. G Erber) appealed against a sentence imposed in the Dunedin Magistrate's Court on March 19 on six charges of false pretences and one of burglary. Mr Erber said that the accused had a formidable list of convictions. including burglary. but there was still room to argue that the sentence was too severe. His Honour said that the magistrate was perfectly entitled to take the view that as a lighter sentence did not act as a deterrent he would impose a heavier penalty. Kimberley Coleman Sullivan. aged 28. a workman (Mr <L- M. O’Reilly), appealed against a sentence, imposed in Dunedin on March 26. on charges of burglary, unlawful conversion. and unlawful sexual intercourse. Mr O'Reilly submitted that the magistrate did not have regard for the facts and that the appellant was entitled to some credit. The sentence, manifestly excessive, could be lightened to give the appellant a chance to reform him-. self. His Honour said that four years' imprisonment was a proper sentence. Mr L C. J. Polson appeared for the Crown in both appeals.