PIKE SENT TO PRISON

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 194, 18 May 1928, Page 7

PIKE SENT TO PRISON

TERM OF TWELVE MONTHS REFORMATIVE DETENTION TO FOLLOW One year's imprisonment, to be followed up by a period of reformative detention not exceeding three years, was the sentence imposed on Joseph Henry Pike by Mr. Justice Smith, in the Supreme Court yesterday morning. Prisoner was found guilty on Wednesday on thirteen charges, involving the theft of about £440 while he was employed as cashier by Scott and Menzies, Ltd., fruit and produce merchants, of Courtenay Place. “It is a matter of extreme regret,” said Mr. A. B. Sievwright, on Pike’s behalf, "that a young man should find himself in the position in which the prisoner now stands. It is a matter of general regret that any young man should find himself in such a position. I have had an opportunity of perusing the police report, and it is a matter for greater regret when it is learned that Pike is a man of sober and industrious habits.” Counsel went on to say that it was apparent from the police report that Pike had a weakness in failing to account for moneys. In the company’s business, however, the temptation’ had been extremely great|” Counsel asked that Pike be given what leniency was possible. His Honour said that the. recommendation of the jury made it incumbent on him to consider the circumstances of Pike’s employment. He thought the jury was unaware of the fact that Pike had previously been sentenced to terms of reformative detention for fraud, and for theft. He thought be would be giving due weight to the jury’s recommendation by sentencing Pike to imprisonment for oiie year, and ordering that thereafter be be detained for a period of reformative detention not exceeding three years.