HARD LABOUR REQUESTED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19717, 17 August 1927, Page 14

HARD LABOUR REQUESTED.

SEQUEL TO BICYCLE DEAL

REFORMATIVE TERM ORDERED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J C'H BIS! CHURCH, Tuesday. Charged that with intent to defraud lie obtained from Leslie Watson McNeill a lady's bicycle, valued at £8 10s, by means of a false pretence, and that ho similarly obtained a man's bicycle, valued at £lB 10s, Kenneth Harry Armstrong (Mr. E. W. White) appeared in the Magistrate's Court to-clay, before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M. Accused pleaded guilty. Chief-Detective Lewis said McNeill allowed accused £4 on an old bicycle, atjd permitted him to take away the cycle valued at £lB 10s, on the assumption that accused was a prominent member of the Hinds Cycling Club. Later accused returned and said he could place a lady's bicycle for sale. Both machines had been recovered A list of previous convictions was then read to the Court.

Major Barnes, of the Salvation Army, said Armstrong was willing to enter the Armv home.

"Although the Salvation Army, 1 know, is a splendid medium for redeeming men like this," said the magistrate, "1 cannot do it this time. Such frauds as this are far too numerous in Christ church, and must be stopped." Armstrong was sentenced to three vears' reformative detention.

After sentence had been passed Mr White said his client wished to request (hat he be given-hard labour instead of reformative detention, as he felt previous period of detention had not benefited him.

The Magistrate: Reformative detention means hard labour. I have no power to give him two years' hard labour. All I could do would be to give him 12 months' hard labour, and then the reformative detention on top of that. Mr. White: That, apparently, does not appeal to my client.