THE MAIL ROBBERY

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1929, Page 3

THE MAIL ROBBERY

GORDON GETS THREE YEARS

(By Telegraph—Per Press. Association.)

WELLINGTON, April 17

Thomas Gordon and Arthur Henry William Be van, two young men, who had pleaded guilty to the theft of postal packets from the ferry steamer Wahine, appeared before Mr Justice MacGregor to-day for sentence. Counsel for Bevan said that he appeared to have been the mug in the affair, as the police did not suggest that he had done anything more than keep the watch to see that no one interfered.

Counsel for Gordon said that he had worked since he was eleven years old, and as a youth he had worked for some years in a racing stable. He had taken the full responsibility for the robbery, and he desired to he sentenced to a te?-m of hard labour. The Judge; Why does ho want hard labour?

Counsel; He realises that he can t expect too much leniency, and that physical work will perhaps do him good.” The Judge: “I mean, what did he have before?

Counsel said “reformative detention!”

The Judge: “I see; and he did not like it-”

The Crown Prosecutor said that the polieo regarded Gordon as a person of a very bad reputation, and as the makings of a daring criminal The Judge said that Gordon seemed to .lie fast becoming a hardened criminal. He had asked for bard labour, and be would get it. He would bo sentenced to three years bard. Bevan was ordered Borstal treatment for two years.

A sum of £l6 wh.ich was found on Bevan and which was admitted to bo part of the proceeds of the robbery was ordered to l>c returned to the Postmaster-General.