A DOUBLE PENALTY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 4 August 1926, Page 9

A DOUBLE PENALTY.

GAOL AND £SOO FIX!

PUBLICAN WHO RECEIVED STOLEN LIQUOR, (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, Aug. 4. In sentencing Alieliael ivealy, Air. Justice Stringer said accused, who had hitherto borne an unblemished reputation, had pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property, a first plea of not guilty having been withdrawn in the course of yesterday’s hearing If it were not for receivers there would be fewer thefts. He. was satisfied this 'was an individual case on accused’s part, and had no reason t-o suppose he had been guilty of any other such offence He was a. man of good position and ample means, and lmd listened to Speight’s suggestion regarding the stolen goods. His Honour felt it would not be consistent with his duty to the public to inflict a fine’ only, as had been suggested by accused. Scandals he must not .allow by the thought that, because accused was a man of means, he could pay, where others less fortunate would not be able to pay. In the- circumstances, lie could not do other than impose a short sentence of imprisonment. That would be punishment and degradation enough. Accused would be sentenced to imprisonment for three months and to pay a fine of £SOO.

Horace Vincent Byrne Speight and Michael Kealy, licensee of the Britomart Hotel, were charged at the Auckland ALagistrate’s Court towards the end of June with breaking and entering the bonded warehouse of R. I). Nathan and Co., with intent to commit a. crime, and with stealing liquor valued at £77 Is lOd, or, alternatively, with receiving the same liquor. It was alleged that Speight, who 71 leaded guilty to the theft, had sold the liquor to Ivealy.