SERIOUS OFFENCES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 42, 18 August 1933, Page 9

SERIOUS OFFENCES

TELEPHONE THEFTS

YOUNG MEN SENTENCED

"This class of offence is a very serious matter1 both from the point of view of the public and tho Post and Telegraph Department," said Detective McLennan, at tho Magistrate's Court today, when Lindsay Edist Edward Garner, aged 21, and lan Archibald Hector McDonald, aged 2S, appeared before Mr. J. S. Barton, S.M., for sentence on charges of wilfully damaging public telephones, theft of money from them, and other offences. The detective said that the accused were looked upon as very dangerous criminals. Both had lists of previous convictions. Asked if he had anything to say before sentence was imposed, the accused Garner protested that he was innocent of the charges on which he had been found, guilty. "I agree with Detective McLennan that a lenient view cannot be taken in these cases, although the actual amount of money taken was small, said the Magistrate. He added, that in his own opinion the maximum penalty associated with these offences was quite out of proportion to the moral view that the Court took of tlie. offences. , . Garner was given cumulative sentences totalling eight months' hard labour. McDonald, who is already in prison on other charges with sixteen months to complete his sentences, will have to serve an additional sentence of eight months' reformative detention at the expiration- of that term.