SAFE IN BORSTAL

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 64, 9 December 1930, Page 12

SAFE IN BORSTAL

Workless Offender JUDGE’S SYMPATHY Danger of Probation “If only he had work to go to or someone to look after him, I would have no hesitation in granting probation. But what is he going to do? He has not been successful at any of his jobs. I think that at the Borstal Institute his better qualities may ot developed, particularly his industry,” said Sir Michael Myers, Chief Justice, in sentencing Ronald Cowan, labourer,'who had pleaded guilty to charges of forgery and attempted uttering, in the Supreme Court yesterday. Mr. F. B. Auyou, for Cowan, mentioned that at the time the offences had been committed the accused had been in Wellington three months, and out of work all that time. He had been at his wits’ end to make both ends meet. “1 feel considerable sympathy,” his Honour said later, after further facts of the accused’s past life had been related by counsel. “I have seen the probation officer's report, and it is a case that at first sight excites sympathy. But when I want to know is the best thing to do in his own interests—and, of course, those of the State too.” There were only two courses, he said. One was grant probation, the other was to senef the accused to the Borstal Institute, and if the latter were adopted it would have to be for a period of two years, nominally. Who Wil! Look After Hint? “Supposing I give him probation, who is going to look after him? He wants looking after,” his Honour said. Counsel suggested that the accused might be put under the probation officer’s supervision, where he would get the bene- ' fit of that officer’s advice. His Honour said he did not think that was sufficient. The accused had no relatives, and no employer to give him a job. He had had a number of jobs, and he had been successful at none. “In default of someone to look after him I think the best thing to do is to send him to the Borstal for a period.” he said. Counsel: His early youth has been against him, your Honour. Since he was 14 years of age he has had to look after himself. This might be a lesson to him. His Honour: Frankly, I am afraid probation might have the opposite effect. It might not he long before he was back here again, and that would be starting him on the wrong career. The accused was committed to the Borstal Institute for a period not exceeding tqx> years.

THEFT OF JEWELLERY Hotel Porter’s Offences “The best thing to do with you, seeing you are under 23, is to order you to a period of Borstal treatment. There you will be looked after and subjected to discipline,” said his Honour, in sentencing Edward Gammon Ellen, hotel porter, who pleaded guilty to two charges of breaking, entering and theft, and to one charge of theft. Reading a statement made by the prisoner, and commenting on some of its contents, his Honour remarked that the prisoner said that “if he had got enough the first time he would not have committed the other offences.” He had stolen a tremendous amount of jewellery, though, and it did not look as though he had stolen to enable him to keep himself. The prisoner was committed to the Borstal Institute for a period not exceeding three years. REFORMATIVE DETENTION No Case for Probation Ernest Holloway, bnshman and labourer, who pleaded guilty to a charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime, was sentenced to reformative detention for 12 months. “I have read what you have to say,” said his Honour, after perusing a statement made by the prisoner. “I am afraid it is not a case where I can grant probation. You say it is a question of drink. Probably it is, but I think the best way to get the drink out of you is not the course you suggest, a prohibition order, but refermative detention. We will see if that will get it out of your system.” SENTENCE DEFERRED Other Charges Pending

On the suggestion of the Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Evans Scott, a remand was granted in the case against Arthur Victor Jones, labourer and showman, to allow of a number of other charges pending against him to be included in the one hearing. The prisoner had pleaded guilty to three charges of breaking, entering and theft at Palmerston North on November 21. His Honour ordered prisoner to be arraigned, and asked him if he had any objections to the proposal, and on none being forthcoming, a remand was granted.