PRISONERS SENTENCED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19510, 14 December 1926, Page 17

PRISONERS SENTENCED.

MEW ARRIVAL'S BAD START. TWO YEARS' IMPRISONMENT. €< The fact that prisoner arrived in New Zealand from England only two months ago was mentioned in the Supreme Court yesterday, when William Thomas appeared before Mr. Justice Reed for sentence on a charge of breaking, entering and theft and three charges of theft from a dwelling.

Prisoner said he committed the offences while under the influence of drink. He asked the Court to deal leniently with him, saying he would leave New Zealand at the earliest possible moment. His Honor said that before coming to New Zealand prisoner had served a sentence of two years' imprisonment for forgery. In the short period he had been here he had re-embarked on a career of crime and only a. severe penalty could meet the case. He would be sentenced to two years' hard labour on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent. His Honor added that he hoped prisoner would leave New Zealand as soon as he was released from gaol. "If he commits crimes while lie is under the influence of liquor, is it not better that he should be put away?" said His Honor with respect to William James Fox, steward, who appeared for sentence for stealing whisky committed to his care as a ship's steward in 1920 and for breaking, entering and theft. In the interests of society prisoner should be given a long term of imprisonment. He would be sentenced to 12 months' hard labour on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent. «■