YOUNG MEN IN TROUBLE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 November 1928, Page 7

YOUNG MEN IN TROUBLE.

[lt having been represented to us that the condensed statement of Su- ‘ preme Court proceedings telegraph M ' from, Palmerston, yesterday conveyed Aqwrong impression in .several particthe following report from the Majiawatu Standard is published as .-riving a correct summary of the cases.] young men appeared before Mr "■ Justice Smith in the'Supremo Court ■ this morning for senten.ee on charges of breaking and entering aud theft at Lciin; The quintette .-cnTisisted of Keith Drysdale, aged : 19,.'Jabourei; Allan Drysdale, aged 18;-motor mechanic; James Leonard’ Webb, aged 20, labourer; Howard Kenneth Stratton, aged r "20, farmer; and William R-rkihanu, aged |k 27, a storeman. A v PLEA POP LENIENCY. jfca -appealing for'the infliction of as Hfeght a penalty as possible, Mr Cooper, behalf of accused, suggested that a of : reformative; trCatment would 4 ’best meet the case of Keith as a term in prism might likely have the effect convert# Wflng him into an habitual eiiminal. His f reebrd would not permit of a lessor sentence than reformative detention. . Counsel advanced the ■ suggestion that perhaps .Drysdale was not quite right 'mentally, although that would be for k Either authorities to determine. He had ■ been previously convicted, but not for Rdishonesty. 1 ‘Ho has really been the ■’ in the affair and led the Huthera into trouble,” added Mr Goop-

Except for. one conviction for an .of* ! encßi savouring of larrikinism, he static .that so far as Stratton was conhxncd. he was a hard-working young tiry-famer, supporting his mother, ■here was evidence of a certain amount Y wildness about the youth, but coun|l suggested that the benefit of prolition be extended to him. Restitute would be promptly made. Stnatii had. suffered tremendously, and had ■t caste, which was a heavy punish■nt in" a small community like that W Levin.

In seeking probation for Webb and Alan- Drysdale’, Mr Copper said that latter’s employer had expressed satisfaction at his services, and had intimated his willing-!or-! to take him b*ck. He produced a letter in support of that statement. The ■ young men .had been out drinking, and probably that was the cause of the crimes. It seemed to be more a. ease of bravado so far as they were, concerned, : ahd Webb had . made an admission to that effect. Both lie and Alan Drys dale had been anxious for the matter io be cleared up, but had been diffident .on account of .others being involved. They were only eonne'eted with the affair to a minor extent. . Considering tWcir age, i-oausel asked His Honour it he would make an order for the suppression. of their names, yllis Honour: What occupation has Webb? —He has a position with a baker. POLICE REPORT. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr P. H. Cooke) stated that Detective Russell’s report was favourable in the eases of Stratton, and Allen Drysdale, It was rather bad for Keith Drysdale and not sq good for Webb, who appeared to be completely out of control, was untruthful and generally'' irresponsible. He suggested that -an order be made for the payment of the costs of the prosecution. •

His Honour: What is the value of Ipe loss suffered? Mr Cooper: I understand that it is .about £9O altogether, and it looks from the evidence as though the chief cul,*irit has got away with most of it. ■ HIS HONOUR’S REMARKS.

“So far as Keith Drysdale is con--fumed,” commented His Honour, in assiug sentence, “it is quite clear that -he} hps been the ringleader in serious .-|ffences in which he has been associ“StedCfiofeipnly with the present accused, but witih others. It is quite impos.siblu, aS is ; of course recognised by counsel, Jo grant probation. He still has a chance of becoming a decent citizen, .however.”

y His Honour imposed a sentence of three,- years ’ detention ■in the Borstal .Insditutp^pp., first charge,-and on *a«h of the ithei charges against Keith perysdale, he passed a similar sentence, .all three terms to be concumnri -*Bb far as Stratton is concerned,”

c-outinued His Honour, “his conduct been disorderly, but, after consideration, I feel I should give him a ■chance. He evidently has a capacity for work. He will be admitted to profisation for three years on the usual conditions, logc-tlu r with the special provisions that he pays £2O to W, M.

Clark, Ltd., of Levin, at the rate of £2 monthly, beginning on December 1.

Me is also ordered to pay one-third of the costs of the prosecution, and to; veease to associate during his period of ' probation with Webb and Allan Diys•dale.

‘“The probation officer’s report,” he *‘ is not so favourable in the

case of Webb, but, in view of ■ hi® youth, he will be admitted to Hired probation on the usual-terms, ■with the special £tipulitioh& that! he pays £lO to W. M. Clark, Ltd., at'the

rate of £1 per month; that He payj oneHiird of the costs of the proceedings, V;jnd that he ceases to associate with Stratton and ' Allan Drysdale during probation.” " ? Allan Drysdale, said His Honour, ap-

'peared to have been led into the es--oapade. He would be placed on'probation for two years, in addition to r - ibnding £5 to W. M. Clark, Ltd., in instalments of 10s a week and paying one-third of> the costs of the prosecution. Furthermore he was not to as<£ociato with Stratton and Webb during bis period of probations SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES. / Li the case of William Kikihana; who waa dealt with separately, Mr Cpopetr a.iked; for probation. It was, a, rather sad case, as accused’s 4 troubles were due to his health He wa«; a * * T.B. ?’ • case and suffered from <?hi«nic asthma, having been in sanar lona for two years. “ Unfortunately," added counsel, “while he had nothing to do, he got into bad company, and to some extent gave way to /the allurement of the bar. He was the worse for liquor when the offence was eortnaitted. He has already been in .gaol for a fortnight; and I' would sugfegest that" he ho granted probation,, one

term being that he takes out a prohibition order. ’ ’ The J Crowaj. Prosecutor intimated that counsel’s !remarks were borne out' in the probation officer’s report.' • >.V , His Honour: What occupation has hpf ■ 'Hr Cooper: Practically hone. He is physically unable to work. His Honour commented that the only course seemed to be to send accused to an institution where he could be treated. Mr Cooper; If ho will stand up to it. “He has been before the coto-t on four occasions,’’ commented His Honour. “.The: first was for aosault, then .for wilful damage, and later for being on licensed premises when he should, not , have been. This is not a proper case for probation. It is in the beat interests of accused that ho be sentenced to refonnativo detention. ” ' His Honour imposed a sentence of two years* reformative detention, stating that the matter .could be considered by the Prhons Board. Accused would be under the care of the prison authorities. '“I make no order for the Suppression of njames,” said His Honour. .