ESCAPE FROM BORSTAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 21, 22 December 1937, Page 10

ESCAPE FROM BORSTAL

APPEARANCE IN COURT. Per Press Association. INVERCARGILL, Dec. 21. An inmate of .the Borstal Institution, Leslie James Harwood, aged 20, appeared in the Magistrates’ Court this morning before Mr W. H, Freeman, S.M., and pleaded guilty to the following offences committed on December 10° That he unlawfully escaped from the Invercargill Borstal Institution ; that he unlawfully converted to his own use a motor-car valued at £135; nnd that at Mossburn he stole clothing valued at £2O, foodstuffs valued at £2 and petrol valued at £1 5s Bd. He elected to be dealt with summarily in each case. Detective-Sergeant Thompson said that the youth had been committed to the Borstal Institution on January 3, 1936, for a period of three years. On February 15 of the same year he had escaped and was then sentenced to. a further two years in the institution, making his term five years. On December 10 .of this year ho was working in the garden, having been put in a position of trust so that lie would have a chance to rehabilitate himself, but apparently he had planned to escape, and early that morning had gained possession of another pair of trousers, different from those issued in the Borstal.

In the afternoon he escaped when he had a favourable opportunity, ami went into Leven Street, where he changed his trousers. He then took a car from behind Russell’s garage and drove to Mossburn, where lie stole food and clothing. Further on he stole petrol and kept going until he reached Te Anau. The car broke down and next day he was arrested oy Mr R. W. Arnold, superintendent of the Borstal Institution. The ear had been considerably damaged, but the clothing had beeen recovered, and could be returned if the Court made an order. The case was a difficult one, for the youth was already serving five years on the charge of escaping. Accused was sentenced to 12 months fn the Borstal Institution and he received a similar sentence for unlawfully converting the car to his own use, the sentences to be concurrent with the term now being served. On the other charges he was convicted and discharged. An order was made for the return of the clothing.