THEFT FROM MAILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20234, 19 April 1929, Page 14

THEFT FROM MAILS.

robbery on the wahine.

GORDON SENT TO PRISON.

BORSTAL TERM FOR BEVAN

Thomas Gordon and Arthur Henry William Bevan, two young men of the four charged with theft from postal packets from tho ferry steamer Wahine on February 9, appeared before Mr. Justice MacCregor tor sentcnco in the Supremo Court in Wellington on Wednesday. Both Gordon and Bevan had pleaded guilty. Counsel for Bevan said that tho Wahine left Lyttelton on February 9 and it was alleged that four men went on board, two of them being the prisoners. Tho other two had pleaded not guilty to the offence. It was admitted that between 6 p.m. and the time the vessel sailed Gordon secreted himself in the mail hold, and during the trip to Wellington openod a largo number of registeied letters, extracted the contents, which amounted to about £176, arid shared the money with Bevan, and, it was alleged, with the other men.

Gordon had stated that he was solely responsible for the robbery, remarked counsel, and apparently Bevan had done nothing more or less than to keep watch to see that no one interfered with his companion. The police did not suggest that Bevan lmd done anything more than that. He appeared to have been the "mug" in the affair. After being put off work shortly before Christmas, he went to Wellington and went on board the Wahine with Gordon, • who apparently dangled before him the bait of tampering with the mail bags. Evidently he had entered into the matter without reflecting upon the serious consequences. It took a man with great nerve and resource to do what Gordon had done, and he appeared to have influenced Bevan to help him. The probation officer recommended probation, and counsel urged that as Bevan was a first offender, he should bo given a chance. Gordon Asks lor "Hard Labour."

Counsel for Gordon submitted that, although he had four previous convictions, the prisoner should not bo judged too harshly, as since he was 11 years of age he had been earning his own living. As a youth he had worked for some years in a racing stable, which had not provided the best environment for him. He had taken on his shoulders the full responsibility of tho robbery. He desired to be sentenced to a term of hard labour.

The Judge: Why does ho want hard labour ?

Counsel: He realises that he cannot expect too much loniency and that physical work will perhaps do him good. The Judge: I moan, what did he have before ?

Counsel replied that Gordon had pre viously served a term of reformative de tention.

Tho Judge: I see, and he did not like

The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. P. S< Iv. Macassey, pointed out that two brothers named Ryan were coming up for trial o'i a similar charge. The police were of the opinion that Bcvnn had been merely a tool and he had told the truth. Gordon's case, was a very different one, and in view of his record (he police regarded him as a person of very bad reputation and as having the makings of a daring criminal. He had given (lie police no assistance in clearing the matter up. The Judge: Ts it suggested that he ; s shielding the other men '! Mr. Macassey: Yes. Prisoner's Request Granted.

His Honor remarked that Gordon seemed to bo fast becoming a hardened criminal. lie had asked for hard labour, and ho would get it. He would he sentenced to three years' imprisonment with hard labour. Bcvan's counsel had asked for probation, and the probation officer also suggested such a course, but His Honor regretted being unable to grant the application. The offence was a very serious one and Bevan was old enough to know what he was doing, although no doubt he was influenced by the other or others doing the job. Tho best thing for him was to bo sent to a Borstal institution to keep him from bad companions for a while. Ho would be detained in a Borstal institution for two years. Tho sum of £l6 found on Bevan and admitted by him to be part of the proceeds of the robbery, was ordered to be returned to tho Postmaster-General.