YOUTHS FINED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 114, 16 May 1941, Page 9

YOUTHS FINED

INDECENT LETTERS

Two young men, Brian Frank Houchen and Kenneth Alexander Ferguson, both aged 17, appeared before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today, each charged with sending an indecent letter through the post. In addition, Ferguson was charged with receiving two gallons of benzine, knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained, and with receiving a watch. All the offences were imitted.

Referring to the circumstances of Houchen's case, Detective-Sergeant W. McLennan said that the defendant was one of a gang of youths who had been causing some trouble in the city for some time recently. Three of them had been dealt with for a series of offences, and the letter complained of was written to one who had been placed on a farm It was desired that the association between the boys should be broken off, otherwise there would be trouble.

The Magistrate, who imposed a fine of £5, said that if Houchen repeated the offence he would go to prison for three months.

Ferguson also, said Mr. McLennan, was associated with the boys referred to. He also had written a very indecent letter to the boy on the farm.

Mr. F. W. Ongley, who appeared for Ferguson, said it was admitted *.hat the expressions used were shocking. The other offences, he said, were committed on the spur of the moment.

Ferguson was convicted and discharged on one of the receiving charges, admitted to probation for 12 months on the other, and fined £5 For sending the indecent letter through the post. .