CATTLE-STEALING CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19818, 13 December 1927, Page 13

CATTLE-STEALING CASE.

COURT ALLOWS PROBATION. CHANCE TO LIVE DOWN LAPSE. " It appears to me that what you did was with the intention of revenging yourself on a neighbour with whom you had had some trouble," said Mr. Justice Reed in the Supremo Court yesterday when sentencing Reginald Benjamin Phelps, aged 20 (Mr. Moody), on. a charge of stealing four heifers. The offence was committed at Ohauiti, near Tauranga, and the heifers were tho property of Walter Fowler. Mjr. Moody said prisoner had been working on a farm leased by his father. Tho cows in question used to break down a gate, and when prisoner found some of them on his farm he altered the brand and took them to the salo. They were not sold, and he gained nothing by it. His Honor said that to say the least of it prisoner's act was extremely stupid. He had put a blot on his previous good character, and as a farmer he had been convicted of cattle-stealing. He would have t.o live that down by his future good conduct and prove that this was really not a crime, but an escapade due to his youth. He would be placed on probation for a period of three years and ordered to pay £9 2s 6d, costs of the prosecution. " Would Your Honor consider ordering the suppression of prisoner'? name?" asked Mr. Moody. "It is part of the penalty," said His Honor.