ROGUE AND VAGABOND SENTENCED TO THREE MONTHS’ GAOL

Grey River Argus, 23 May 1947, Page 2

ROGUE AND VAGABOND SENTENCED TO THREE MONTHS’ GAOL

SEQUEL TO PAROA INCIDENT Charged with being a rogue and a vagabond, having previously been convicted of being an idle and disorderly person, Robert Law, aged 21, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court at Greymouth, before Messrs M. J. Fogarty and F. H. Denton, J’s.P., yesterday and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.

Detective Sergeant N. Thompson, in preferring the charge, said that in response to a complaint, Miss Williams, Child Welfare Officer at Greymouth, accompanied by Sergeant Wooton, visited a house at Paroa, where they found accused and a seaman consorting with two young girls, the eldest of whom was 17 The house was in a filthy state, and accused had admitted living there for a week and a half, while the girls’ parents were in Christchurch. As a result of further investigation, accused was picked up by Sergeant Wootton and Constable Hickling late on Wednesday night. He had several previous convictions, and presented a problem to the police. He had no money. Asked if he had anything to say accused stated that he had intended to commence work either at the Strongman coal mine or at the Grey River Hospital this week. “I am afraid that your record is so bad that we do not feel inclined 'to let you have liberty at the moment. There are some very bad features about your visit to the house. You will be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour, although you are liable for 12 months goal,” was the comment from the bench.