THEFT OF MOTOR-CAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21638, 2 November 1933, Page 10

THEFT OF MOTOR-CAR

IYOUNG MEN SENTENCED TERMS OF IMPRISONMENT COMMENT BY HIS HONOR "L do not, of course, propose to take into account the agitation regarding the theft of cars," said Mr. .Justice Smith in the Supreme Court yesterday, when two young men appeared for sentence for having stolen a motorcar. His Honor's comment arose irom a statement made by counsel.

The prisoners, Clement Robert Lawson and Thomas Kdward "Walsh, both young men, who were represented by Mr. Noble, had been found guilty of stealing a motor-car owned by Andrew Leonard Caughey. .It was stated at the trial that the car had been taken in Auckland and driven to Wellington. Mr. Noble said he knew His Honor would take no notice of the tremendous agitation going on at present with regard to the theft of motor-cars. Lawson came out of the Borstal institution last December. Counsel did not think lie was a criminal. Walsh could not drive a car and was merely a party to the offence. Both were receiving sentences lor ofienees committed on their expedition with the

His Honor said the jury was quite; justified in finding that they intended to steal the car. A motor-car was a valuable piece of property. As a result of prisoners' use of the car it had depreciated in value by £2OO. He did not, of course, propose to take into account the agitation over the theft of cars. He had, however, to take into account the knowledge he had that cars were converted lor the time being, if not often stolen.

Counsel had quite rightly emphasised the individual aspect, said His Honor, but he could not overlook the effect on the public interests of the offence of which prisoners had been found guilty. Thero was no doubt Lawson had led Walsh into the stealing of the car. Lawson was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and Walsh to 12 months' imprisonment. The terms in each case were cumulative upon the sentence each is now serving.