AGAIN IN PRISON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23818, 20 November 1940, Page 12

AGAIN IN PRISON

GELIGNITE AND FUSES SHIP FIREMAN'S OFFENCE COMMENT BY CHIEF JUSTICE [by telegraph —OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Tuesday A plea of not guilty was made by William McHeynolds, ship fireman, aged 32, when he was charged in the Police Court 011 October 23 with being found by night with offensive weapons, gelignite, detonators, fuse, matches, gloves and a torch, with intent to break into a building with intent to commit a crime, Jn the Supreme Court to-day, however, ho entered a plea of guilty. He was sentenced by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, to IS months' hard labour, to be followed by ]8 months' reformative detention. Mr. R. Hardie Boys, who appeared for tho prisoner, said that, apart from three previous convictions. Mi-Reynold# had a record of petty misdemeanours. Some years ago lie was sentenced for theft. Then he was sentenced to IS months' imprisonment for negligent driving causing death, and more bitterly he had been sentenced to thre<» years' reformative detention for breaking and entering. He had been released shortly befor*- the present offence. His Honor said the probation officer's report gave prisoner a bad character. It would appear that the present offence was committed within two months of his being released from prison on probationary licence. The Court would point out that prisoner was heading for a declaration as an habitual criminal.