A BAD RECORD

Evening Star, Issue 19352, 11 September 1926, Page 11

A BAD RECORD

WIFE DESERTER, THIEF, AND SEDUCER [Pee United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September W. “He is addicted to drink, and is unfaithful to his wife. He has been warned, advised, and assisted on many occasions by his friends, but he has persisted in his apparently accepted mode of living.” This statement was made by the probation officer (Mr W. J. Campbell) in the Police Court in reporting on the condnet of Alexander James Binnie. On Thursday Binnie had pleaded guilty to fraudulently omitting to pay to Harry Craven £7 entrusted to him by J. Lindsay, and guilty to obtaining from Irene Nickle, of Putaruru, with intent to defraud, £5 15s 6d in cash and cigarettes valued at 4s 6d by issuing a valueless cheque for £6 on the Bank of New Zealand at Auckland. The case had been adjourned pending the probation officer’s report. The report stated that accused was a married man, aged thirty-three years, with three children—one boy and two girls. He had had a previous conviction for theft in Rotorua on July 10 last, being ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. While cmEloyed as manager of the Hamilton ranch of a clothing firm he had embezzled over £3OO. He had been dismissed, but apparently no action bad been taken, as accused had promised to refund the stolen money. This he bad failed to do. Last January accused had been living with his wife in Putaruru, but ho left her, and as a result of his failure to refund the money it was understood the furniture of the house was sold, and Mrs Binnie and her children were left destitute. They were brought to Auckland by Mrs Binnie’s sister, who kept them for some time. At present the boy, aged_ five, was staying with Mrs Binnie’s sister, while Mrs Binnie, 'with the other two children, was at'§t. Mary’s Home, Gtahuhu, where she was employed. Accused had failed to maintain his wife and children. “ Probation cannot bo recommended,” Mr Campbell said. “ I am of the opinion that a throe years’ term of reformative detention would be in his best interests, causing, as such a sentence would, a break in accused’s undesirable associations.”

The Magistrate (to accused); The report about you is about as bad as it could be against any man. Yon deserted your wife, ran off with another woman, and seduced a third. You robbed your employers of £3OO. Obviously, probation is out of the question. You will be sentenced to three years’ reformative detention, and it will depend on you whou you will bo discharged. Tho authorities of St. Mary’s Homo asked for maintenance of the two children, and the magistrate ordered 10s for each chijd to be paid, in addition to £27 back maintenance. It was also requested that a separation and maintenance order should be made for the wife.

The Magistrate; Well, she has got a separation order for three years already.

A maintenance order for 10s a week was issued.