LONG RECORD OF CRIME.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15142, 5 November 1912, Page 8

LONG RECORD OF CRIME.

A LIFETIME IN GAOL.

[Br TELEGRAPHSPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.]

Wellington, Monday. Tub record of an aged housebreaker, Georgo Lee, who came up for sentence at the Supreme Court thin morning, was of an unusual character.

Though 75 years of age, he looked younger, and appeared to retain much of his youth, with reason, for his life had been rigorously regulated. Since the ago of 28 he had probably not had a year out of gaol, certainly not a year at a time. Ho had been convicted on 18 occasions, and sentenced to terms of imprisonment aggregating 50 years and six months, this total being subject, of course, to deductions for good' conduct. His principal sentences had been one of 14 years,, two of seven years, three of five years, and one of three years. Lee was recaptured after a housebreaking attempt on Sunday, October 27, when lie remarked to his captor, If I'd been a younger man you would never have got me."

" There is only one sentenco that can be passed on you," said the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) in passing a sentence of throe years' imprisonment with hard labour, and declaring him an habitual criminal.