“BORROWING” CARS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 119, 13 February 1926, Page 9

“BORROWING” CARS

A COMMON OFFENCE YOUTH SENT TO GAOL By Telegraph.—Press Association Auckland, February 12. As a sequel to a joy-ride last Saturday night, Edward Henry Leatham Quintal (2'o), Rudolph Paul Cvitanovich (19), and Joseph Ileares (20), appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning on charges of converting to their own use a motor-car valued at £335, the property of Percy Free. Quintal was further charged witli converting two other cars to his own use, those of Arthur Brett and John Paterson, valued at £5OO and £3OO respectively. Quintal pleaded, guilty to all three charges while the other two pleaded not guilty to the single charge brought against them. After the case had been outlined by the police, the Magistrate dismissed the charge against Ileares and Cvitanovich. / . Counsel appearing foi Quintal said tint the youth, although only 20 years of age, had been a royer, and had already traversed the world on two occasio'ns. Probably if he were allowed to drive motor-cars as an occupation after he came out of prison, this would knock some of the romance out of I,inl No Excuse For Acts. “In this case there are. no palliating circumstances at all,” said the Magistrate (Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M.). “Taking cars is all too common an offence these days. Magistrates have threatened to give those who take tnem a severe sentence, but this has not been done. It is a pity that the law only provides for a sentence of three months’ imprisonment foi this class or offence; it is not enough. However, 1 could give Quintal three months on each of the three charges, but I will take into consideration that he has been frank, and also that he is a young man. He will be sent to gaol for three months on the first charge, while on the second he will be admitted to probation for three years, and will have to make restitution foi the damage (£10). On the third charge he will be convicted and discharged. “A Scandal.” "Quintal,” continued the Magistrate, "is married, and yet he gets other young women to go out. in motor-cars with him. It is becoming a scandal here—this sort of thing Married men far older than he, old enough to have daughters of their own, take girls out for "rides in motor-cars, give them liquor, and get them drunk. I would warn all girls not to accept motor-car rides from" strange men.”