SUPREME COURT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9625, 3 April 1917, Page 8

SUPREME COURT

PRISONERS SENTENCED TWO-CASES TO BE CONSIDERED FUETHEE. Six prisoners were presented for sentence before His Honour the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout! in the Supremo Court yesterday morning. Mr V. E. Meredith appeared for the Crown. "A WASTER.” Thoralph Oswald George Knudsen, appearin# for sentence on a charge or housebreaking and theft at New Ply* moutii, asked for probation. His Honour remarked that this was not accused’s first appearance before tho court. He appeared to be a waster from the number of nrevious convictions against him. These convictions were mainly in respect to vagrancy, being a rogue and a vagabond, etc. “I do not know whether the Prisons Board will be able to redeem you, but we will see, remarked His Honour. “You will bo sentenced to three years' reformative treatment.*” INDECENT ASSAULT.

A middle-aced man named Edward Wells Shenkel, appearing in respect to two charges of indecent, assault, stated to His Honour that he had pleaded guilty to the charges go that they might not be taken through the courts. His Honour said that the case was a very bad one, as accused was uncle and guardian of the children assaulted. Ho would, however, take into consideration the fact that accused had pleaded guilty and not intensified his crime by bringing the children into court to give evidence. Judging from accused's statement to tho arresting constable, he did not appear to realise the gravity oi bis crime. The sentence would be three years' imprisonment in respect to each charge, the sentences to be cumulative. YOUTH IN TROUBLE.

A youth of seventeen years, Hubert Lyndon, came before His Honour in regard to a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm. Mr H F. O’Leary, for accused, stated that he was a very young man, had most respectable parents and had previously borne a good character. In view of this it was difficult to imagine what had caused his lapse. His Honour: "There is the fact that accused has been seen drunk.” Mr O’Leary continued that accused had led a lonely life at Whangamomo'.ia, which was a small outback station. This appeared to have had an effect on his mind. His subsequent action in respect to the assault showed this. His Honour said that it was very difficult to know what to do with accused in view of his youth. lk« this, however, that accused had attacked a. man with the intention of robbing him.

After making observations on tho dangers of young men going into drinking saloons. His Honour said that but for accused’s youth he would not have given him probation. He would, however, order him to be under probation for three years, and during that time he would have to. report monthly to a probation officer: Tie was not to visit any other town without tho consent of the probation officer, and for the next twelve months must not be found outside his parents’ house after 7 o’clock of an evening. NOT OF GOOD CHARACTER.

“This Is your second offence,” remarked His Honour to a young man named Charles Walker, charged with the theft of jewellery from an hotel. Although there was an interval of a year or so since his last offence. His Honour could not say accused was of good character. Thefts from hotels were becoming too common. Accused would be sentenced to eighteen months’ reformative treatment at Invercargill Gaol. STOLEN TOBACCO.

James Cooper, who had admitted in the lower court tne previous week a charge of receiving a case of tobacco valued at about Xol), the property of the liar hour Boardj knowing same to be stolen, pleaded that he dia not know rhe property was stolen until it was deposited in his shop. Mr O’Leary., on accused’s behalf, stated that until recently accused had followed the sea, but on account of failing eyesight he had bought a tobacconist business and hoped to spend the remainder of his days there. Accused was 08 years of age. Mr O'Leary went on to review the evidence in the case, showing that accused was not aware until iatc in the transaction that the tobacco was stolen. His Honour remarked that the trouble was that the affair had been pre-arrang-ed. Mr Meredith pointed out that the case was a serious one. His Honour interrupted, and stated that he did not wish to send a man of accused’s age to gaol. He. would, however, defer the case until Wednesday morning. ALSO ADJOURNED. In connection with the previous charge, a young man named William Arthur Baillie was charged with having stolen the tobacco in question. Mr P. W. Jackson, on the prisoner s behalf, said that accused was a married man with a family. Ho had no vices and neither smoked, drank, nor gambled. His Honour said that ho had reports that previous to the lapse under notice accused’s character was of the best. After hearing Mr Jackson’s plea of extenuating circumstances. His Honour intimated he would adjourn the case along with the previous one until Wednesday.