PENALTY OF CRIME

Evening Post, Volume 50, Issue 50, 27 August 1926, Page 4

PENALTY OF CRIME

PRISONERS SEXTKXCED.

Three prisoners were sentenced in the Supreme Court to-day by his.Honour the Chief Justice. Mr. F. E. Ward prosecuted. ■

David Parkinson, a labourer; ,aged 18, had pleaded guilty at Petone on 23rd August to six charges of housebreaking and to an attempt to break in by day. "I have given your case very careful consideration," said his Honour. "You are quite a young man, and. this is the first time you have been convicted, of crime. There are two circumstances which make the charges serious. First," there seems to have been no real pressure on you to. commit these crimes; and secondly, you deliberately stole money. I. should be very glad to let you out on probation if I could, but I feel that it is just about time you pulled yourself together and turned over a new leaf. I will send you to a Borstal Institute in Inyercargill for two years." ■■ • -

David Cameron Stewart, a grocer, aged 23, who had pleaded guilty on 10th August at Wellington to ten charges of breaking, entering, and theft, was represented by Sir. J. F. E. Wallace. ' • '

The offences, said counsel, were traced through a fingerprint on one charge, and he had admitted the others.' The break was the result of his being out of work. He was only 29 years of age, and if given the opportunity he might make gdod. "I see no reason for leniency at all," said his Honour. It appears clear that you are very fast on the way. to become an habitual criminal. In your own interest and in the interests of 6ociety' that must be stopped. You •will be imprisoned and kept at hard labour for the term of four years on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent."

George Alex. Robert Irving, a labourer* aged 26, pleaded guilty to charges of forgery and to attempted uttering.' He tv represented by Mr J. P. R. Wallace.

The prisoner, he said, had been hampered by domestic difficulties, but would take full advantage of any . leniency.

His Honour, recalling previous offence^ said that a lenient sentence would be two years' imprisonment. -•.,.;',