HOUSE RANSACKED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21093, 13 May 1943, Page 2

HOUSE RANSACKED

TERM OF DETENTION COMMENT BY THE JUDGE A charge of breaking and entering the house of N. G. Bray in Mill street, Hamilton, and. stealing furniture and personal effects to the value of £197 was denied by Clifford Fox, aged 20, in the Hamilton Supreme Court. Accused defended himself. Evidence was given that while Bray was absent on holiday his hous , which had' been locked" was entered and ransacked. A carrier was employed to remove the furniture to a mart, where it was sold. Detective T. Sneddon, of Gisborne, gave evidence that he found accused and a girl in a house in Gisborne and that goods taken from Bray s house were found in accused’s possession. Accused admitted that', the goods had been stolen from a Hamilton house, but said he had not taken part in the burglary. Harold George Carter.wha wasin custody, said he entered Bray s house and instructed a carrier to take the furniture to the mart. Accused sold it for him. He did not tell accused the furniture was stolen. Witness admitted he had been convicted on- a charge- of breaking, into the house and'stealing the contents. After a short retirement the jury found accused guilty. In sentencing accused to three vears’ reformative: detention Mr , Justice Blair referred to his previous conviction and said:' “You are making a frightful mess of your life. You were making,£9a week as a carpenter and have'one-of the finest trades any man -can have. ’ You will finish up spending the rest of your life m prison. Taking that young girl away was a crime. , “You have been in Trouble since you were 17,” his Honour continued. “You were getting higher than award wages and must have been a good carpenter. What a pity. You think judges are hard on you, but what can we do if you will; not respond to efforts to reform yctu? If y.pu deserve another chance you ■yvill; get it;