SERIES OF CRIMES

Evening Star, Issue 22956, 13 May 1938, Page 8

SERIES OF CRIMES

RAIDS ON SMALL SHOPS * GAOL TERM FOR LEADER OF PARTY “ The police view is that nothing can be said in his favour,” stated the Crown Prosecutor (Mr F. B. Adams) when Edward Farris, a young man, appeared for sentence in the Supreme Court to-day on charges of breaking and entering, and attempted breaking and entering, small stores in the city and Mosgiel. • Mr 0. G. Stevens represented Farris, and admitted that it was not the first time Farris had appeared for sentence. On this occasion he was in company with two other men. One at least was of a criminal type and the undoubted ring-leader. The crimes were rather extraordinary in that they were committed to obtain a few pounds’ worth of tobacco. If the first attempt had been successful, the other offences would probably not have been committed. Since Farris’s appearance in the lower court, added counsel, he had served a sentence of six weeks’ imprisonment for conversion of a car.

Mr justice Kennedy: Has that term expired ? Mr Stevens said that such was the case. Farris had come from a decent family, but seemed to have gone astray fairly early. Counsel suggested that it was the associations that ho had formed that had led him into crime.

“ The view of the police is that Farris was the ring-leader of the party,’ stated Mr Adams, “ and that ne was the inspiring personality in these crimes.” Farris’s record showed a curious break. He was involved in a number of juvenile crimes until the age of 16 years, and then there was a break until lie became 21, the offences committed from then on until recently not being of a very serious character. Mr Justice Kennedy remarked that it was clear, whether Farris was the ring-leader or not, that he was very deeply implicated in these crimes. His Honour ivas inclined to the view that he was primarily responsible. Farris had had many chances. His record showed that he was disposed to give wav to drink and lawlessness, and the police report indicated that he associated with undesirables. Farris was sentenced to imprisonment for one year and nine months.