Too Many Young Men Coming Before Court

Northern Advocate, 26 January 1939, Page 12

Too Many Young Men Coming Before Court

I For Press Association. Copyright'.] WELLINGTON. This Day. "Unfortunately there are so many ..ng men coming before the court these days that it is becoming a matter for serious consideration whether continued leniency should be extended as a result of pleas put forward by counsel on their behalf.” This commen: was made yesterday by Mr. J. H. Luxford. S.M., after hearing submissions regarding Henry John Westbrooke, aged 21, a clerk, who admitted four charges of theft from the Wellington Woollen Company, the amounts totalling over £4O. Enough to; Keep Family. “Here you are earning a wage which a man has to keep a family on,” said Mr. Luxford to accused. “I do not feel inclined at the present moment to grant probation to you. I think ft is a case for reformative treatment.” WesiorcoKe was stood down until ioday for sentence. He was stated to be receiving as wages and pay-

ing 30/ to his parents for board. Counsel said that Westbrooke’s father was entirely unable to account for the thefts except for the fact that he had bought a motor-cycle for which he paid at the rate of £1 a week and for which he paid £25 for repairs after an accident.