DEALING WITH CHIME

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11705, 18 December 1923, Page 7

DEALING WITH CHIME

PRISONERS SENTENCED PROBATION REFUSED TO SEXUAL OFFENDERS. CHIEF JUSTICE’S'WARNING. A number of prisoners appeared for sentence before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) yesterday, at the Supreme Court. The first to make his appearance in the dock was -Samuel Groves, a man 38 years of age, who lia-d pleaded guilty to carnal knowledge at Dannevirke. Mr H. F. Johnston made a strong appeal for leniency on behalf of the prisoner, and produced statements from citizens as to Groves’s previous good character and the respect in which he was held in his community in the Hawke’s Bay district. He had never before been before the court, and was of a sober and industrial character. When passing a sentence of four years’ reformative detention, the Chief Justioe declared that the prisoner had attempted this act a second time, and he could- not overlook that fact. The case was also a serious one, as the prisoner was the uncle of the girl concerned. MOTHERLESS YOUTH. Frederick Alfred Reeve, 18 years of age, had pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting a male. “There are certain painful features in connection with this case,” said his counsel, Mr T. P. Cleary, who said the lad had lost his mother at an early age, and when in the greatest need of her guiding hand. The father was an old man, scaroely able to earn a living. There had been practically no home life for Reeve. Previous to this charge, his character had been excellent. He thought the ends of justice would be served by a term of probation.

. This, however, was not altogether the view of His Honour, who remarked that if the assault had been committed on an adult probation might possibly have been considered, but the victim was a child of only four years of age, and he could not entertain the suggestion.

Reeve received a sentence of three years’ reformative detention. PROBATION ABUSED. When sentencing a young man named John Olsen (21) to three years’ reformative detention for theft, the Chief Justice said the prisoner had been -given a chance, but when admitted to probation lia-d abused the privilege. As Olsen had been before the court on a previous occasion, His Honour could not see hio way clear to grant probation. A similar term was imposed on a Maori named Teroi Tureiti, who also had a record with certain unfortunate blemishes upon it. This prisoner had -been granted reformative detention some years ago, and in spite of this his manner of living had again brought him before the court. EX-CONSTABLE IN DOCK. .

The next to face His Honour was a young ex-officer of the law, who on tliis ooca3ion occupied the position reseirved for the prisoner. Andrew McJennett was formerly employed at the arms office at police headquarters. He had appeared in the lower court on charges or stealing the sum of £27 7s while employed as a servant of the New Zealand Government.

McJennett was 23 years- of age, and a married man with one child, said Mr Perry, when appealing to the court for leniency for the prisoner. His salary had formerly been £5 5s per week, but it had declined to £4 11s when the Goernment salaries were reduced. He had had domestic worries of a financial character, and had been embarrassed by creditors. When just married he had taken a furnished flat, and had purchased furniture on the hire-pur-chase system., and although ho had paid £BO out of the £IOO owing, the furniture had been seized when he had defaulted in later payments.

His Honour: ‘ ‘There are thousands of men to-d'ay only receiving the same wages, but they manage to live all right.” In consideration, however, of the good character formerly - borne by McJennett, Sir Robert Stout imposed a term of probation of two years. He hoped that the prisoner would not again appear before the court.