ROBBERY AND ASSAULT

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 2, 27 September 1939, Page 7

ROBBERY AND ASSAULT

Reformative Detention For

Two Young Men

PRISONERS SENTENCED

“You have beeu in this country a short time only and you have not made a very good start,” said Mr. Justice Reed, when John McDonald and Hor-

ace Timothy O’Connor, aged 21, and 18 years, appeared for sentence in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, on joint charges of robbery under arms in Wellington on August 1 and in Hastings, and separate charges of aggravated robbery tint] breaking, entering and theft.

Fortunately crimes of this sort were re in New Zealand, said nis Honour,

but in Australia and United States of America they had been increasing, lie would have considered ordering floggings but for the comparative youth of the prisoners. At the same lime he indicated that the Court would not tolerate such crimes. McDonald was sentenced to reforma

live detention for two years on eaeh charge, the sentences to be concurrent. O'Connor was committed to the Bor stal Institute for two years on eaeh charge, the terms also to run concurrently. Albert Henry Doyle, gardener aged or, who pleaded guilty on September 20 to a ehtirgv. of bigamy, was admitted to probation''for two years. His Honour remarked that bigamy was.a crime which could be serious or comparatively trivial. The prisoner's offence did not seem to come in

cither class and might be said to be in the intermediate class. The report of the probation officer was entirely in his favour and it appeared that, though he had committed bigamy, he had been living with his second ''wife” quite happily tor yea rs.

''■You have no right to take the law into your hands. No doubt this man annoyed you and apparently his ’jaw .was not. as hard as those of most, people, as you broke it when you bit him.” said Mr. Justice Blair to Dorset William Bertie, farm hand. Stratford, who appeared for sentence on a charge of assault and causing actual bodily harm.

The prisoner was 23 years of age and of quite good character, said Mr. 11. Taylor. He had had three employers and had apparently given every satisfaction. He was exceedingly sorry for his offence and there appeared little likelihood of it being repeated. Bertie was fined £lO and ordered to pay £3/5/6 costs. He was allowed three months in which to pay.