PENALTIES FOR GRIME

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8192, 6 August 1912, Page 7

PENALTIES FOR GRIME

PRISONERS SENTENCED. A BOY'S TRAVELS. A number of prisoners appeared for sentence before his Honor Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice) yesterday. James Schow, who looked like a schoolboy, was placed in the dock for sentence for forgery and uttering at Masterton.

Mr C. Goulter. who appeared on accused's behalf, said the prisoner was seventeen years of ago. He was an orphan, and since the age of seven he had had to battle his own way in the world. Ho was a recent arrival from South Africa. A position was ob- - tained for him as clerk in an office at Capetown, but ho wanted to get to England, and, with that object in view, ho shipped as a steward on tho steamer Ruabine. When the boat reached Wellington a well-meaning person offered him employment in his residence, thinking that his work as a steward fitted him for such a position. It was not long before the boy again found himself out of work, and ho drifted, eventually, into a racing stable. It was while he was there that he committed the offence. When charged, he admitted the offence, hia > only object for committing which was to obtain money to go to England. Ho did not seem to realise the gravity of his position, and was in need of a serious talking to. His Honor warned the prisoner of

the severe punishment to which ho rendered himself liable. Ho wanted to give him a chance, and he would not, therefore, inflict any punishment upon him. Ho would be ordered to come up for sentence when called upon, which meant that so long as he behaved himself ho would not be called upon at aIL BREAKING, ENTERING, AND THEFT.

George Paul, alias Herbert Bartlett, was presented for sentence for breaking, entering, and theft at Nelson. Mr P. W. Jackson, on accused’s behalf, said the value of the property taken was very small. Accused waa only twenty years of age, and did not, at the time, realise the gravity of the offence he was committing. At present he was serving a sentence of one month for theft. The present offence took place Tour years ago. His Honor said he would deal leniently with tho accused because of bin youth. Ho would be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, the sentence to run concurrently with that which he is at present serving. Leonard Henry Press was presented for sentence for breaking, entering, and theft at Wellington. He had been previously convicted of theft. He was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. BROTHERS IN TROUBLE.

Andrew Bergerson and Edwin Thorval Bergerson, two brothers, appeared for sentence on charges of _ receiving stolen property and of breaking, entering, and theft respectively. The offences wore committed at Hastings. Mr Gbulter, who appeared on behalf of the prisoners, stated that Alfred Bergerson was prepared to repay the stolen money at tho rate of £3 per month and Edwin at a rate up to £3 per month. His Honor said the probation officer's report was against the accused, and ha did not think he would be right in allowing them to go- Andrew Bergerson would be sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, and Edwin would be admitted to probation for twelve months, the money to he repaid in monthly instalments. A “STARLIGHT EXPEDITION.’ 1 Percy Eichstaedt and Thomas William Deam appeared on two charges of breaking and entering and on© of theft. ■ Mr A. Myers, on behalf of Eichstaedt, eaid the prisoner was only eighteen years of age. The three of- , fences which ho had committed’all took place within a period of about seventytwo hours. They seemed to have been the result of a foolish ‘ ‘ starlight expedition.” He could not ask for probation, as prisoner bad been fined £3 for theft two years ago. Ho asked, however, that ho not bo sent to prison.

Both prisoners were sentenced to eighteen months' reformatory treat* ment. “HELPING” A LADY. George Moore, a middle-aged man, had nothing to say why sentence should not be passed upon him for theft from the person at Westport. His Honor characterised the theft as a mean one. A woman became ill in a railway carriage, and the prisoner, while affecting to help her, robbed her. He had been before tbs court previously for tboft, assault, and damage to a window. He would ba sentenced to twelve months’ hard la* bor. THEFT FROM DWELLINGS. George Albert Wallingford appeared for sentence on sis charges of theft from dwellings at Wanganui, and one of escaping from custody. His Honor said it seemed to him that prisoner had been rushing about instead of stopping in some proper employment. Though only a young man he was charged with seven offences altogether. If the law was carried to the full extent in respect to all these, ho would receive twenty or thirty years’ imprisonment. Ho did not know what to do with a man like prisoner. He did not seem to have any idea of what he was doing. If bis Honor so pleased he could already declare him an habitual criminal. Hg would bo sentenced to eighteen months’ imprisonment with hard labor on each charge, the sentences to; be concurrent.