PRISONERS SENTENCED

Evening Star, Issue 25782, 3 May 1946, Page 4

PRISONERS SENTENCED

FALSE PRETENGES CHARGES GUILTY MAN'S PLEA FOR MERCY Edward (Bonner Collins was this mornning brought before Mr Justice Kennedy in the Supreme Court for sentence on five charges of false pretence. of which he had been found guilty on Wednesday last. The charges involved the obtaining of various sums of money ostensibly for motor tyres, which had not been delivered. The prisoner, in reply to the question whether he had anyting to say, said tat his solicitor had. at his request, withdrawn from the case. Prisoner proceeded: “I respectfully desire, to mention that the woman who was associated with me. and who has been freely mentioned during the hearing of the proceedings, was in no way whatever concerned in the offences of which I have been found guilty. The information against her had. been dismissed. There can be little; doubt that the transactions in which I was engaged were absolutely black market transactions.” Early in January, prisoner proceeded, his health had broken down owing to domestic trouble, and in coming- to thd South Island he had become acquainted with an individual who suggested that an arrangement should ’be entered into with a view to selling black market tyres. The arrangement was that he (the prisoner) should travel and obtain orders on a salary and commission. Prisoner admitted a long list of previous convictions, but mentioned that on the last occasion upon which he had been sentenced it had been for the maximum term of 12 months, but, he said': “ I was incarcerated for over three years behind the grim, dismal walls of a prison—two years and three' months longer than the time of my sentence.” “ I ask,” he added, “ that, if it be possible, justice be tempted with mercy. I realise that I am getting on, and am satisfied that, if given the chance, I can travel down the stream of honesty and become a' citizen beyond reproach.” RECORD OF DISHONESTY. '

Remarking that there ■was not the slightest doubt that the prisoner’s transactions had been bogus in every way, his Honour went on to say that he relied' entirely on the evidence rather on any statement not on oath made now by the prisoner. “ You had a long : record of dishonesty; his Honour proceeded,” and 20 years ago you were declared an habitual criminal, bat time anclf again you. have returned to your habits of living on your wits and preying on the/public. You are sentenced to be imprisoned for 18 months, with hard labour, on each charge,. the sentences to be concurrent.