PRISONERS SENTENCED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17277, 29 September 1919, Page 5

PRISONERS SENTENCED.

TWO CASES OF FORGERY.

MAN'S PECULIAR CAREER.

CLERK'S BREACH OF TRUST.

Three prisoners came up for sentence before Mr. Justice Cooper at the Supreme Court on Saturday.

Three years' probation was ordered in the case of Frederick Cecil Bedwell (Mr. Singer), who had pleaded guilty to forginr a cheque for £67 15s in the nam? of Richard Sandford Hodgson, on the National Bank at Dargaville.

The probation officer, the Rev. F. R. Jeffries, recommended that accused, who was a first offender; should be placed on probation under strict conditions. The Judge said ho would adopt this course, but would add a special condition requiring accused to make such restitution as, in the opinion of the probation officer, his earnings would allow him, after supporting his wife and children. William Venice Aitken, who had pleaded guilty to forgery and theft at the Thames, was ordered to be detained for reformative treatment for a period not exceeding three years. The Hon. J. A. Tole, K.C., said the accused, who was 23 years of age, had had a peculiar career. He had been in the Mental Hospital, and bad previously been detained for reformative treatment. He went into camp -with the thirty-seventh reinforcement, and had served 348 days with the army. The Judge, on reading reports placed before him, said accused's family history was bad, while the prisoner himself had already served two periods of reformative detention— for theft and one for forgery. He thought that a long term of detention was the best course to follow. Prom the history of accused's character and antecedents it was clear he had not full control of himself, and reformative treatment might possibly be of assistance to him.

LENIENCY EXTENDED.

ACCUSED IN POOR HEALTH. •

Frederick Ware, aged 57, came up for sentence on charges of stealing sums of money totalling £278 from the Lower Mangapika Drainage Board and the Karepuku, the Purawera, and the Wharepapa Road Boards, by which he had been jointly employed as clerk and secretary. Accused had previously pleaded guilty to the charges. A report by the facl surgeon stated that accused was in a weak nhysical condition generally, the opinion being expressed that a lengthy term of imprisonment would no doubt hasten the develop ment of a chest complaint from which he was suffering. Mr. J. A. Hawkins, who appeared for accused, asked that he be either admitted to probation or ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. The Judge said this was not a case where the Court could properly order probation, as the offence was punishable by more than three years' imprisonment. If, however, the accused would sign, the necessary documents, assigning • his interest in certain properties for the purpose of restoring the money, or part of the money, he might be prepared to order him to come up for sentence when called upon. In doing this he would be doing what was seldom done, and would be extending the. powers of the Court to an extent* which would not be justified in an ordinary case. He remanded the accused for one week, to enable the necessary documents to be prepared, saying this would be no hardship on accused, as he would receive treatment in the gaol infirmary.