"GREAT BARBARITY"

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 269, 7 August 1920, Page 8

"GREAT BARBARITY"

JUDGE DENOUNCES PRISONER OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS .'This is a most shocking ease. You have behaved with great barbarity," remarked His Honour Mr, Justice Clinpuian in the Supreme Court yesterday, when addressing Cecil Broch Wales, ono of the eight prisoners who wero put forward for sentence. Wales, who is a tailor by occupation, pleaded guilty at Feilding to three charges of indecent assault. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. P. S. K. Macassev) said that the prisoner was a married man with one child, and was aged 32 years. Ho was suffering from a diseaso which lie had transmitted to a jrirl of tender years and to his wife. • His Honour stated that the prisoner had exhibited a low, base character, and sentenced him to six years' imprisonment with hard labour on one charge, and to one year on caeh of the remaining charges, the terms to be concurrent. "JOY-RIDERS" SENTENCED. As a sequel to a "joy ride," tlireo voutlis—Horace Smith, John Leslio Ratsoii, and Reginald Stunt—came up for Bcntenco on charges incidental to their action in unlawfully taking a motor-car out of n garage at Johnsonville, and converting it to their own use. The trio had also pleaded guilty in the Lower Court to a charge of brenking and entering and theft' at Taihape. After taking the car. tho youths had driven to Wanganui late at niglit, and thero abandoned it. They had then _ walked iu Taihape, where they broke into a settlor's house and stole a sum of money, Which had nearly all been recovered Bince. Pleas for leniency on behalf of Batson and Smith were made by Mr. A. B. SievWright. Batson, ho stated, had signal on a transport at tlie ago of fifteen, and on arrival in England had enlisted in an English regiment, subsequently 6ecmg service in Palestine, where he was wounaed This lapse was his first. _ Smith had one previous conviction against him for stone-throwing at window*. Mr. Luke appeared for SUint. who had, lie stated, hitherto borne a good charat.. ter. In admitting all three lads to probation for the term of tlireo years, His Honour pointed out to them tho error | of their ways, and described Batson s position as even more shameful than the others. Unlike his companions-who were simply great fools—llo had a wide experience of tho worTd, and had bee« employed in a responsible position as an n.c.o. in tho force?. His Honour also made an order directing the three prisoners to reimburse the owner of the stolen car at the rato of 10s. per month each, and lo repay tho balance of the stolen money. BLACKENING A GIRL'S CHARACTER Referring to the case of Charles Eric Walden, who was Found guilty on Thursday of indecent assault on a young woman. His Honour said: "I take a serious view of the prisoner's conduct. He not only committed an offence, but lie endeavoured to "Blacken tho girl s character in order to exculpate himself. The senteneo of_ the Court was three years' detention Tor reformatory purposes, to be served at the Invoreargill institution. "A PREFERENCE FOR CRIME." David Cameron Stewart, aged 2G years, appeared for sentence on four convictions for breaking and entering and theft at Napier, also 011 one tor forgery.-. Mr' Macassev sai'd that the prisoner was addicted to racing and gambling, and had a bad reputation. Hh Honour addressed the prisoner ns follows; "You'have shown by youi; acts that you have a preference for crime. Vou have also shown that you are a verv capable criminal. You have hit upon a method of crimo that you hn\ e pursued systematically and with success; and'ill addition you have a very biui 'general reputation.-" • Prisoner was sentenced to three years reformative treatment. ' NOT CRIMINAL AT HEART. In file case of Arthur Symons, aged '1 years, who was tip {or sentence on four charges of breaking and entering am! theft at Paliuerston North,, Mr. Macassev said that prisoner was a simple vouth who was not criminal, at heart. present ho was undergoing three years' reformative treatment imposed at Auckland on July 8 for offences 'similar to tlioso on which he was; now arrainged His Honour sentenced „prisoner to a period of three years' reformative treatment. to be concurrent with his present sei'tence. • ___