THEFT OF MOTOR-CAR

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 33, 2 November 1933, Page 13

THEFT OF MOTOR-CAR

Two Men Sent to Gaol COMMENT BY JUDGE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, November 1. “I do not, of course, propose to take into account the agitation regarding the theft of cars,” said his Honour Mr. Justice Smith, in the Supreme Court, when two young men appeared for sentence for having stolen a motor-car. His comment arose from a statement made by counsel. The prisoners, Clement Robert Lawson and Thomas Edward Walsh, who were represented by Mr, Noble, had been found guilty of stealing a motorcar owned by Andrew Caughey. It was stated at the trial that the car had ■been taken in Auckland nnd driven to Wellington, Mr, Noble said he knew his Honour would take no notice of the tremendous agitation going on at present with regard to the theft of motorcars. Lawson had come out of a Borstal Institution last December, and counsel did not think he was a criminal, Walsh could not drive a car, and was, merely a party to the offence. Both were receiving sentences for offences committed on their expedition with the car.

His Honour said the jury was quite justified in finding they intended to steal the car. The motor-car was a valuable piece of property, and as a result of prisoners’ use of it, it had depreciated in value by £2OO. He did not, of course, propose to take into account the knowledge he had that cars were being converted for the time being, if not often stolen. Counsel had quite rightly emphasised the Individual aspect, said his Honour, but he could not overlook the effect on public interests of the offence of which the prisoners had been found guilty. There was no doubt that Lawson bad led Walsh.

Lawson was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and Walsh to 12 months. The terms in each case were cumulative upon tho sentence each is now serving.