THIEVES UP FOR SENTENCE: JUDGE’S REMONSTRATIONS

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1947, Page 2

THIEVES UP FOR SENTENCE: JUDGE’S REMONSTRATIONS

P.A. WELLINGTON, May 20. A sentence of three years’ reformative detention was imposed to-day by Mr Justice Cornish on Frederick T oseph Huddleston, a-ged 40, accountant. who had been found guilty or one charge of false pretences, and had pleaded guilty to seventeen other charges of false pretences, and one of attempted false pretences. His Honour told the prisoner that his offences had been stupid ones which were bound to end in trouble for him.

LUCKY TO ESCAPE MURDER CHARGE

Mr Justice Cornish told Graeme Bruce Reyburn, aged 21, a surveyor's assistant, who had pleaded guilty to a charge .of intent to that, on sworn facts which had been presented to the Court, he was- very fortunate that, he was not before the Court on the charge of murder. “I must impose a severe sentence, because this is gangsterism, and gangsterism is not -going to be tolerated .n this country,’’ said Mr Justice Cornish. Reyburn was, however, remanded for one week for sentence.

RACECOURSE SPIELERS

George Thomas Lincoln Barrett, aged 35, a salesman, and William Francis Keenan, aged 33, a seaman, who had been found guilty of theft at Trentham racecouse, with a strong recommendation to mercy, were admitted to two years’ probation, on the special conditions that f 'my stay away from racecourses, abjure al] forms of gambling, and abstain from intoxicants. “Instead of getting away with this offence, you have made yourself a laughing-stock. You were caught, and you’ve become known as a couple of poor little spielers.” said Mr Justice Cornish.

STOLE A CAR

William Anderson, aged 39, a motor mechanic, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment at hard labour for theft of a motor-car. A similar sentence for a similar offence was imposed on Mervyn Keith Pedlar, aged 20, the term tn be concurrent with one of three years' hard labour he is now serving.