GRIMINAL CASES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIV, Issue 18, 20 July 1907, Page 4

GRIMINAL CASES.

YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS GIVEN A CHANCE. Four youths on tho threshold of life — a mero boy of 16 — who lied yielded lo sudden temptation for tho first time, were admitted to probation to-day by Mr. Justice Button, and given au opportunity to retrieve thsir false start. "William David Ingram was brought^ up on a charge of forging a cheque of the value of £5. Ho had been remanded frcra last Saturday for the Probation Officer's report, i and his Honour bound liim over to come up for sentence when called upon, and to keep the peace for twelve months. A surety for £25 was forthcoming. John Thomas Burborough (16) having pleaded guilty to breaking and entering, came up for sßntance. Work had been I offered him at the Upper Hutt, and the Probation Officer's report was r.r.usfactory. His Honour said ho would give him a chance to reform, but he would have to keep away from the evil associates who had lad him astray. Prisoner was admitted to probation for eighteen months, on condition that he did not come within fifteen milea of Wellington during that period. Breaking and entering at Dannevirke was the charge to which Leonard LyaU (23) had pleaded guilty. He had entered the room of his employer and stolen £49 from a locked box. Of that, £40 had since been refunded. Mr." Wilford, for prisoner, submitted that it was .really a case of theft, not breaking and entering, but Mr/M*. Mjv ors (Crown Prosecutor) replied that ths act of opening the door of the room and entering would constitute the offence, and prisoner had pleaded guilty. Mr. Wilford, in applying for probation, submitted four testimonials from Dannevirko residents as to prisoner's good character. These included one from tho employer who was robbed, who further undertook to reinstate -the young man if ho were allowed probation. The Crown Prosecutor had no objection to offer. I "I have a very strong leaning towardsgiving young men a cfnnce," said his Honour, who admitted prisoner to probation for 18 months, on condition that I he paid the balance of the money and the cost of the prosecution by quarterly instalments during the first twelve months. Mr. A. Dunn then applied for probation for Herbert Simpson, who had admitted -three charges of theft from his employer at Wanganui. Counsel said the threa offences wers committed will in a fortnight, and were the result 'of a, sudden temptation. Prisoner had started drinking and billiard-playing,'»and had got into bad company. Restitution of the balance of tho money - taken, amounting to £28, would be made immediately. His -Honour said the police report showed that prisoner was addicted tv drinking, which was probably the eaus* of tho offences. He would be admitted to probation for two years, oh conditio-i that ho abstained from drink; if convicted of being di-unk during* that iinio he would bo liablo to be brought up foxsentence. Ho was also ordered' to refund the money within a fortnight, and tho costs of the prosecution within threa months. A CAREER OF CRIME. John Morrison, a man of middle agej who was sentenced last week, was brought up again, his li6nour desirint; to make tho terms run concurrently There were two cases of theft, and four of burglary. His Honour said prisoner had entered upon a career of burelary With regard to tho theft, prisoner * would be sentenced to two years' hard labour on each charge. For tho burglary ho would be ssnt to gaol for seven years' hard labour on each charge, the sentences io rua concurrently.