SUPREME COURT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 258, 24 July 1908, Page 2

SUPREME COURT.

CRIMINAL SITTING.' PRISONERS SENTENCEDTwo prisoners '.were sentenced at -the Supreme .Qo'urt yesterday by the Chief Justice (Sir. Robert. Stout)..-, ' . THEFT. OF .MONEYS. : : ■ Robert James Roberts, alias Grombie, who bad pleaded guilty in the Lower. Court at Wellington vto. four, chargesof _> theft of moneys received by him on -behalf of his employer P. M'Ardlp '(parrying--.contractor), was not represented by , counsel.- .- ■ Addressing 1 prisoner,-, his Honour .said:— If you had been a'.ifirst .offender I should certainly have given you. probation;'. You are a married man. with, a family,' and Ahe wages,you; were receiving were not high., If a working man .-who is in receipt of only £2 7s. ,per week takes to drink—and- that I was probably what, happened in your caie— l it is likely that He will not- bo . ablo to re'sist the temptation of appropriating money that is given to himvto hand to his-employer. I hope :that: you:_apd others in receipt of a small wage will give up everything—smoking, drinking,: theatres,- and gambling—so that /ou will be able.to save as:much as possible for the benefit :of yourselves and your families. L don't know what to do..in,.a case like yours ; I cannot overlook- the fact that you have been imprisoned' for theft (three charges), and also for forgery! I beg you for the sake of.- yourself * and -your wife and children not.to do anything-in the future Tyhich will result';, in , your , being brought before the Court again. You . are sentenced to twelve months': imprisonment \yith hard labour. on each charge ; the gear "tences to be concurrent. .:' -- ; • A GRAVE OFFENCE.;' ; ; . James .Kay Grieve, a middle-aged . man, >\yho had admitted a charge of. having com.mitted a serious criminal offence at Tailiape, was then set forward. . Mr. Buddie stated that prisoner had requested him to address the Court; on his behalf. In a case of the kind !it was, lie thought, difficult to. say ,very much. Prisoner, whoso wife died three years ago, had sis children ranging in age r from- 4 years to 13) years. - So keen was "prisoner's regret for what he had done that lie had expressed his determination to do all in his power for the advantage of his children, when he regained his liberty. "I have had anxious consideration about this case," was the Chief' Justice's opening remark, in passing sentence.. - Addresing prisoner, his Honour -then said ir-y'Thfe ag< of the child (thirteen, years) .makes , your off en.ee. a v-ery!:much;.graver..\ons than-.an .ordiiiaryr'affeiice: undorj.'tho;-Amending "Act rfoi the punishment of thisicrime, In the.case of offences ~-amilaiL^o;y.q i drs-:.the:J3o»ntiihas ■imposed:, the (maximum sentence.;. ; ; ..If the child had belonged to. any other, person you would have been, liable to be flogged. Though it is 'not the worst case that can be brought Under ■ still .-it., seeps ; ' to -me Vtpat iji■ could". wdfwi'.- ;.l .Would not' be-doing my, duty if I sehteiiced you. to irless/term .than I' intend, to impose.'.:' You are ordered to be imprisoned for eight' years with hard.labour.",