CRIME PUNISHED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23061, 11 June 1938, Page 22

CRIME PUNISHED

PRISONERS SENTENCED BREAKING AND ENTERING - . .v SEVERAL THEFT CHARGES Charged with breaking and entering the New Lynn post office on May 2 with intent to commit a crime, Robert Coclcburn, aged 82, mirier and labourer (Mr. Hall Skclton), appeared for sentence before Mr. Justice Fair in the Supreme Court yesterday. Accused was also charged with having in his possession an explosive substance On the same date with intent to commit a crime.

Mr. Skelton said accused had recently been "employed by the Public Works Department in a quarry and no doubt it was there that he obtained the explosive. He had apparently become the worse for liquor, which Would explain the stupidity of an offence carried out when many people were about. Accused had been' fairly abstemious, was a good worker, and when in employment had no desire to bo dishonest.

Accused had a bad record and had spent most of Lis time in prison since ho came to New Zealand in 1930, said His Honor. In tho present caso the offence was deliberately planned and accused had used a motor-car apparently to assist him in getting away.r ''lf you come before the Court again l there -is no doubt that you will 'be declared -an habitual - criminal," His Honor said, in sentencing accused to two years' imprisonment with hard labour. Seven Charges A labourer, liobert James Brydon, aged 48j .appeared for sentence on seven charges of theft, in two of which tho breaking and entering of a shop and church, respectively, was involved. His Honor said accused had been declared an habitual criminal and had been released from prison' on licence when the offences occurred. In inflicting a penalty he would take into account therfaet that accused had been in confinement for nearly a month and he would also have .regard to the probation officer's report that accused was not of high intelligence,. - Accused was sentenced to two years imprisonment: v ' ' ; A sentence or 18 months' reformative detention was imposed on a bootmaker, Charles Arthur William Hansen, aged 24, who appeared on two charges of theft at Auckland and three charges of breaking and entering a dwelling hoiise at Hamilton and committing theft. Terms of Probation

A night garage attendant, Tony Marijan Milicich, aged 26 (Mr. Wiseman), a service station attendant, Clem- Henry Blomfield, aged 21 (Mr. Adams), and a motor driver, Edgar Francis James Mahon (Mr. Finlay), appeared for sentence on a charge of breaking and entering a warehouse by night and committing theft. Milicich and Blomfield Were also charged with theft. ' 1 ' J ' &

After hearing submissions by counsel; who stated that each accused had formerly' had an unblemished record, His Honor said, he had been told that too much drirtk during the evening had impaired the,men's judgment. He was prepared to accept the explanation and he could therefore accept the recommendation of the probation officer that the accused-should be released on probation.'

His Honor., fixed the probationary period" at three years. Each accused was ordered to make restitution of £2O to the owners of the warehouse, in default three months' .imprisonment. Blomfield was also ordered to pay £3 13s Cd, the value of jewellery stolen and.not recovered. The men were instructed to take out prohibition orders against v themselves for the currency of the probationary periods.