CRIME BY YOUTHS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23718, 26 July 1940, Page 4

CRIME BY YOUTHS

SPIEIT of bravado WARNING BY JUDGE PROBATION NOT GRANTED "It looks as though the suirit of bravado and disregard of other, people's rights is very rifo among some of these young men, and the notion lias got round among them that you can do this kind of thing once and not suffer anything further than being placed on probation," said Mr. Justice Callan in the Supreme Court when referring to the growing number of youths charged recently with breaking and entering and theft. The idea that probation would be granted always in such circumstances had to be checked, His Honor continued. "Ono has to think," he said, "of the effect upon young men generally, and not be deterred from doing one's public duty by the very great pain and suffering that is inflicted upon parents if thetf sons are sent to Borstal, or the still more serious reflection which worries me —the feeling that in Borstal a youth may learn more harm than good." Bruce McCormish Malcon, aged 18 (Mr. Aekins), appeared on a charge of breaking and ontering and theft, and breaking and entering with intent to. commit a crime. Counsel urged that although His Honor had expressed his alarm at the prevalence of such offences among youths, accused's period in prison had had a sobering effect upon him, it was the first timo he had been in trouble, and it seemed unlikely he would offend again. Accused was remanded until this moring, the Judge saying he would give the case full consideration before ho made a decision. Sentences of two years' detention in a Borstal institute were passed upon two youths, Anthony John Buckman and Norman John Andrew, on each of two charges of breaking and entering and theft, and another that they were rogues and vagabonds. All sentences are concurrent. On a charge of breaking and entering and theft, and breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime at Otoroliaiiga, Ronald Harry Hill, aged 20, was given two years in a Borstal institute on cacli charge, the terms to be concurrent. Reformative detention for a period not exceeding two j'ears was imposed on Gordon Robert Edwards, aged 24, on a charge of breaking and entering and theft at Kaitaia.