YOUTHS' ESCAPADES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22193, 21 August 1935, Page 16

YOUTHS' ESCAPADES

CONVEBSJON OF CAR SHORT CAREER OF CRIME ADMITTED TO PROBATION The escapades of two youths who unlawfully converted <a motor-car to their own use, travelled about 1000 miles in the vehicle and embarked upon a short career or crime, were described in the Police Court yesterday, when 1C charges were preferred against Garrick Westbrook Leonard, aged 17, and Keven Arthur Clarke, aged IS. The accused, who were represented by Mr. Moody, appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. They pleaded guilty to the unlawful conversion of a motor-car, and admitted 11 charges of theft and four of committing mischief. Senior-Detective Hall said Leonard had a difference with his father on July .'JO, and raw away from home. He called on his. friend Clarke, the pairtaking possession of a motor-car. In the car the youths went to Napier by way of Hamilton, Hotorua and Taupo, where tliej broke into the Taupo school and stole various articles valued at £3 Ss Otf. They then went to Napier, returned to Hotorua, and broke into the school there, stealing a hammer, some towels and a milk billy. On their return to Auckland, Mr. Hall added, the youths ran out of petrol at Papatoetoe, and broke into the garage cf W. A. Cairns, where they stole a gallon of oil and four gallons of petrol. The accused also committed other thefts. On August 2, the accused broke into the rifle club armoury of the Auckland Grammar School and stole two .303 rifles. They also stole 1000 rounds of ammunition from the Defence Department's property at the Penrose rifle range. The cai was abandoned on a lonely road at Waikowliai. Mr. Hall said all the property had been recovered, but the accused had done certain damage which required restitution. They had previously borne exemplary characterb On the recommendation of Mr. W.' G. Campbell, probation' officer, the magistrate admitted each of the accused to probation for two years, and ordered restitution to be made, as well as payment of £'lo to the owner of the motor-car, which Mr:- Hall said had travelled about 1000 miles since it had been unlawfully converted.