CRIME PUNISHED

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 198, 19 May 1936, Page 13

CRIME PUNISHED

Supreme Court Sentences A number of prisoners who had been found guilty or had admitted guilt were sentenced by Mr. Justice Blair iu the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday. Samuel Allen, found guilty by a jury of theft from a dwelling, was admitted to probation for two years, ou the plea of his counsel, Mr. E. D. Blundell. His Honour said the report of the probation officer was favourable iu Allen’s case. He would be ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution, £35/4/8, in such instalments as the probation officer might determine. The return of £l2 stolen by prisoner and recovered by the police was ordered by his Honour. Sentence of 12 mouths' imprisonment on each charge, the terms to be concurrent, was imposed on Hugh Rupert Austin, who pleaded guilty on three counts of breaking, entering aud theft. Prisoner, who was not represented by counsel, described himself as a musician. His Honour commented that prisoner’s offences seenned to be "pretty amateurish jobs,” aud he had uot taken very much from the premises lie had entered, probably because there was not much to take. Previous convictions almost qualified prisoner for declaration as an habitual criminal. A young man, Herbert Henry Ash, who had pleaded guilty to theft and breaking, entering and theft, was represented by Mr. J. Meltzer, who asked for probation on tlie recommendation of the probation officer. Probation was accordingly granted by his Honour, the term to be three years. Prisoner was ordered to make restitution, and was notified that he is to attend at the court next Monday to hear the terms under which the restitution is to be made.

Au elderly man, Thomas Barbour, who pleaded guilty to a breach of probation at Christchurch on Octolier 24, 1935, was sentenced to IS months’ imprisonment. Stanley Wiuwood McKissick Reid, who was found guilty of assault with intent to commit rape, was remanded for a medical report on the application of his counsel, Mr. J. A. Scott.