WINDOW-BREAKER SENT TO GAOL

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 194, 12 May 1924, Page 6

WINDOW-BREAKER SENT TO GAOL

« NOT A CASE OF MERE CAPRICE Reginald Nelson 'White, who recently’ caused something of a sensation by breaking eight plate-glass windows on the premises of Kirkcaklie and Stains, was sentenced to eight months’ imprisonment with hard labour by Mr. Justice Chapman in the Supreme Court on Saturday morning. _ “I was in such a state of mind that afternoon that I did not know what I was doing,” said prisoner. He said he had been worried, and was finding that it was becoming difficult to make ends meet in order to provide for his wife and children. His wife had only just come out of hospital, ond was immediately served with a notice to quit the premises they were occupying. In the midst of this trouble he” went down to the wharf, and was unsuccessful in getting employment It was a cold, wet day, your Honour,” concluded prisoner. “ and I met a man who had a bottle of whisky, and only remember getting into Cuba Street.” His Honour said he could not accede to prisoner’s plea beyond >i cor tain point. “I don’t intend to inflict a severe penalty.” said His Honour, “but I must make the term one that will serve to _ remind others of mischievous inclinations that they cannot do this kind of thing with impunity. In this instance it was not a case of mere caprice, where a man picks up a piece of street metal'and breaks a window, but you deliberately broke eight windows, the ’mine o f which is something like £5Oll. There must be some protection for public property.”