Supreme Court SENTENCE UPHELD

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30802, 14 July 1965, Page 12

Supreme Court SENTENCE UPHELD

Appeal From Borstal

An appeal by Ronald Noel McConchie, aged 18. a workman (Mr J. R. Milligan), against a sentence of Borstal training imposed in the Christchurch Magistrate’s Court on June 10 in respect of six charges of burglary and one charge of false pretences was dismissed by Mr Justice Wilson in the Supreme Court yesterday. Mr Milligan submitted the sentence was excessive. Having regard to the appellant’s personality it would amount to a sentence of two years’ imprisonment. “Socially he is an incapable youth with limited intelligence,” he said. He said the appellant’s motive for the offences appeared to be one of destruction rather than gain. In each case the amounts stolen were extremely small and considerably less than the damage caused. The personality of the appellant was such that Borstal training would do him little good. He was almost certain to learn how to commit crimes more efficiently. Mr N. W. Williamson, for the Crown, made no submissions.

His Honour said he agreed the appellant had a most unfortunate background, but already all other ways of deterring him from crime had been tried. “There only remains Borstal in the hope that it will achieve something in the way of reformation,” he said.