PRISONERS SENTENCED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10085, 26 September 1918, Page 7

PRISONERS SENTENCED

TWO EIGAMISTS. . "ABSOLUTEiLY RECKLESS WITH : WOMEN." Four prisoners came up for sentence before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) yesterday morning ■■...'.. A. young man named Efcnest Henry McKay, who had pleaded guilty in lit Lower Court to a charge of bigamy at ChristchUroh, was represented by Mr 3. A. Scott. Mr Scott said that his client was not aware at the time of his 6econd marriage that he was not divorced fro.i 1 his first wife, whom he had left a yeas or two previously. His Honour 6aid that accused appear ed to be absolutely reckless as far a: women were concerned. Prisoner fits' deceived one woman and then another and if he chose to go on deliberate breaking the laws relating.'.to the sexot he must be punished. The prisoner. vM had a fairly lengthy record, was' sentene ed to reformative treatment for a perioi not exceeding two years. ANOTHER BIGAMIST. Another bigamist up for sentence wa' Ernest William Groves. He asked to b. given a chance as he was a member o the 43rd Reinforcement. i His Honoiir observed that the prisone: seemed to have had five ohances. Hov many more did he wahtP Bigamy wa getting altogether too common. As th< case,vWas,. worse than,,.the..other., bne thj prisoner would be sentenced to thre'. years' reformative detention. ' PAYING HIS DEBTS. An elderly man named Frederick Jas Blandford Bennett hande'd up a length; written statement in explanation of hi offence of theft. His Honour said that all that couh be gathered from the statement was tha the prisoner took money from some on' else to pay debts with. This kind o thing could not go on. Prisoner hat been convicted five times previously fo' false pretences and embezzlement, am would be sentenced to reformative treat ment for a period not to exceed tw< years. ~ FORGERY AND UTTERING. Phillip Trevor- Liddy, who was repri sented by Mr H. F. O'Leary. had pleads guilty to forgery and uttering and th wrongful use of a soldiers railway pass Mr O'Leary said that the reports of tt* police and probation officers Were favout able,' and accused had borne a goo; character previosuly. . The prisoner was admitted to probr tion for twelve months.