THREE GAOL TERMS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20634, 14 August 1941, Page 9

THREE GAOL TERMS

PRISONERS SENTENCED TWO COAST MAORIS Gaol terms were imposed on three prisoners by Mr. Justice Northcroft in the Supreme Court in Gisborne today, all three being charged with breaking and entering. Harry Lewis Brennan, who was found guilty of breaking and entering the premises of Williams and Kettle. Limited, Gisborne, with intent tc commit theft, was sentenced to a term of two years with hard labour. Mr. L. T. Burnard, who appeared for the prisoner, said that since 1935 the accused had not been convicted of any dishonesty. His Honour said that the prisoner’s list contained several charges of dishonesty, including a sentence of three years for burglary. Tikitiki Offence When William Kepa and Pene Poi appeared for sentence on a charge of breaking and entering and theft at the Waiapu Farmers’ Co-operative Company’s Tikitiki store on the night of I the burning of the store, Poi said he did not have anything to do with the matter. His Honour: But you have pleaded guilty, as well as making a statement to the police. Poi: I found I made a mistake. His Honour: What more have you to say about it? Poi: I want to know if I can have another chance. His Honour said he could not accept Poi’s plea, because it was clear from the details he had given to the police that he was implicated. Both had a bad record, and he believed they knew a good deal more about the firing of the place than they admitted, but he did not propose to sentence them on that. However, they required sharp sentences, which would be 18 months hard labour each.