OFFENCE BY YOUTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 18

OFFENCE BY YOUTH

TWO YEARS' PROBATION

STRICT TERMS -IMPOSED

[from otjr own correspondent]

HAMILTON, Friday

"Instead of sending you to a common gaol, T am going to make your father your gaoler for a time," snid, Mr. Justice "•Reed in the Supreme Court at Hamilton to-day when admitting Rex Edward Wesley Amos, aged 18, a draper's assistant, of Tatiranga, to two years' probation for attempting to commit rape, for indecent assault, and for assault so as to cause actually bodily harm at Tauranga. Mr. J. K. Lusk said accused had no criminal record. His father had offered to find work for accused and keep him under his supervision ,at Awanul. His Honor said accused had rendered himself liable to a long period of imprisonment. The evidence disclosed a most, disgraceful state of affairs. The circumstances were peculiar. There appeared to be an absolute absence of anything in the nature of morality among the young people of Tauranga with whom accused had associated. The circumstances showed that the environment at Tauranga was so bad that any young fellow who was not strongminded was likely to fall into trouble.The special tfirms of accused's probation were that he must not return to Tauj-anga, but must go immediately to his father at Awanui. He was prohibited, from attending a dance or a picture theatre for 12 months, and he was ordered not to go 'out after eight o'clock' at night without the express consent of the probation officer. In addition he was forbidden to drink alcoholic liquor, for two years, and ordered to jay the costs of the prosecution, £3l, in instalments. His Honor warned the prisoner that any disregard of the special terms outlined would render him liable to he sentenced to prison on the original charges. , :