THE PENALTIES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 102, 4 May 1925, Page 5

THE PENALTIES

PRISONERS SENTENCED

CASES BEFORE SUPREME COURT

Seven prisoners, all concerned in crimes of dishonesty, came before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stput) in Wellington this morning for sentence. PROBATION REFUSED. Edwin Ernest Culliiord, with a previous conviction for theft of a postal' packet appeared 'to be sentenced ■ for breaking and entering by day and theft at Wellington. Mr. H. F. O'Leary represented prisoner, who remarked on the police and probation reports, and put in several credentials from business men. He said the amount involved was under £2, and the promises from which he slole_ were connected with bis own. His previous offence had been over eight years ago. • He was well spoken of and generally respected. Probation was asked for. This case had -caused him heavy financial loss. His Honour said lie'could not see his way to grant probation in such a case. The sentence would be imprisonment for six months. DUE TO DRINK. William Russell Miller, with three previous convictions; was 'brought up for forgery and uttering at Blenheim, there being- four charges. Prisoner had nothing- to say. The sentence imposed was two years' reformative detention. His Honour said at least four of the cases before the Court were due to drink, and this was one of .them. SENTENCES POSTPONED. Theft from a dwelling was the offence of which Herbert Blakes, a young man was guilty. The offence was committed in Wellington. Prisoner had nothing to say. The case, was postponed until Saturday, pending the hearing of another charge.' Forgery and false pretences, and the making ot a false document, six charges Vll WeAT° th? °ft'eilces °f Allan Do°nn ballon. Mr. J. • Scott asked for postponement of sentence pending information from Australia. The case was adjourned till Saturday, PUBLIC SERVANT'S LAPSE. Francis Edwin Merlet was "uilty of theft as a servant at Featherston. Mr J. fc>. Han 11a asked for probation on the ground that prisoner was old,' that tho amount was small., and had been returned to the public body concerned, and that his appearance was the first in Court Up .till the 1018 epidemic he «m the town clerk at Featherston, and holding several important positions! Alter Jus illness he seemed to have lost his grip. The submission was that the shortages were due to neglect and lack of attention to details, and not to criminal intent. Probation was granted for two years on the condition that prisoner ab•s.am absolutely during that period from alcohol. FORGERY AND UTTERING. Sidney Gray Railton, guilty of forgery and uttering at Masterton. Probation was granted for two years, on condition that Hailton. abstain from liquor, and make restitution as he expressed a desire to do. Oswald Charles Morgan, with four previous convictions, was sent down from Wanganui for sentence for forgery (two charges). Prisoner handed in S JJ™ ment A sentence of three years' reformative detention was imposed. .