CRIME PUNISHED

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 295, 10 September 1941, Page 10

CRIME PUNISHED

Month’s Jail For Bigamy Wilfrid John Lawson, labourer, aged 45, was seutenced to a month’s imprisonment for bigamy by Mr. Justice Blair, in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday. Mr. R. Hardie Boys, who appeared for prisoner, said that he was a munition worker. There was a deep and lasting affection between him and the girl with whom he had gone through the form of marriage. There was no resentment on the part of the girl or her family. His Honour said that prisoner's idea apparently was to make an honest woman of the girl by marrying her. It was a warped notion, but distinctly charitable. Owing to the mitigating circumstances, pris-oner would be sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. Final Warning. Arthur MeKeener, labourer, aged 59, who appeared on charges of forgery and uttering, was discharged, but was warned by his Honour that he had more than qualified to be declared an habitual criminal. Mr. R. Hardie Boys, who appeared for prisoner, said that he was at present serving a sentence of 12 months. Though he bad 39 previous convictions, they had been mostly due to drink. Eighteen Months For Forgery. Reginald Albert Henry Strudwick, labourer, aged 24, was sentenced to reformative detention for 18 months on a charge of forgery at Wellington. Mr. F. J. Foot. who appeared for prisoner, said that he was simple, and had gone about the forgery in a most, foolish manner. When he joined the Air I’oree two charges' for similar offences had been brought against him. Counsel had been informed that prisoner had no chance of obtaining any money by the forgery. His Honour: He was not skilful enough. Mr. Justice Blair said that prisoner apparently had the bump of acqilisitiveness over-developed, and had a penchant for stealing Pos't Office Savings Bankbooks. and operating on them. He had robbed a fellow Air Force trainee in Christchurch, and now had committed tbc same offence in Wellington.