Service attitude ‘hypocritical’

Press, 21 January 1984, Page 7

Service attitude ‘hypocritical’

PA Wellington The Public Service attitude to criminal convictions appeared to be hypocritical Judge Laing said in the District Court at Wellington yesterday. The Judge was sentencing Paul Michael Gladwell aged 17, a trainee radio inspector, who had admitted stealing $6.12 worth of velcro fasteners from Woolworths last year.

Gladwell's counsel told the Judge that if a conviction was entered against Gladwell, he would almost certainly lose his job. He applied for a discharge under section 42 of the Criminal Justice Act.

The Judge said it appeared hypocritical that the defendant would be

sacked if he admitted the offence and was convicted of it. but not sacked if he admitted the offence, but was given a discharge. Such discharges were the subject of some abuse at the moment, he said. Because acquittals were not recorded on the Wanganui computer, courts had no way of knowing if discharges had been granted to defendants. Students claiming that a conviction might hinder their progress in a career could be repeatedly discharged under present circumstances. the Judge said.

He convicted Gladwell, fined him $4O, and made an order for the return of the property.