YOUTH’S OFFENCES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 71, 23 February 1937, Page 3

YOUTH’S OFFENCES.

PROBATION GRANTED. Per Press Association. WANGANUI, Feb. 22. Phillip Walter Darcy Stewart, aged 19, who pleaded guilty to the theft of a motor ear valued tit £230 and with menaces demanding money from another with intent to steal, was admitted to three years’ probation on condition tha he did lio attend any public or private dances during that term and that he paid the cost of bringing the stolen car back from Auckland, as well as the costs of the prosecution, such payments to be made within the first year of probation.

It was stated by counsel for prisoner, Mr W. A. Izard, that he was suffering from adolescent instability. Prisoner’s aim had been to- get away from his home surroundings, where he was unhappy. He had conceived the idea of attempting to get money from a fellow employee, had stolen the car, dressed up in girl’s clothes, and travelled to Auckland.

Mr Justice Smith ordered that the gaol doctor report on prisoner. That report to hand later and agreed that Stewart was suffering from adolescent instability and that under rigid control he would have a vastly different outlook on life in future. Passing sentence, His Honour said that if it had not been for the medical evidence he would have sent prisoner to the Borstal for a term.