THE MASTER CRIMINAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12008, 10 December 1924, Page 6

THE MASTER CRIMINAL

PROBATION REFUSED CECIL BOYD SENTENCED TO NINE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT, AN EVIL INFLUENCE. “I don’t think probation is applicable to, the charges," remarked Mr E. Page, 8.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, in reference to a glass-cutter, 40 years of age, named Cecil Franklin Boyd, who pleaded guilty to the theft of a floor cramp valued at £2 2s, and paint accessories, the property of R. and E. Tingey, to the value of £2O. Accused was further charged with receiving four dozen pairs of ladies’ silk stockingß, to the value of £42, allegedly stolen from George Bond and Co., Ltd. “The offences seem to have taken place over a fairly substantial period of time,’’ added His Worship, "and it is stated by the police that this man has been' the cause of the downfall of several young men employed in the city. I propose to convict the defendant on the two latter charges, and sentence him to a period of nine months’ imprisonment, to be served concurrently. On the first charge be will be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, to he served concurrently with the other terms." AN EVIL INFLUENCE. Chief-Detective Kemp, who prosecut ed, stated the accused was a marries man with three children, and at the time of his arrest was earning £6 per week. “The most reprehensible aspect,’’ said the chief-detective, “is that n& fewer than seven employees belonging to different firms' have been dismissed through illicit dealings with this man. Those dealings have been going on for three years.- Not only is he a master mind over youths, but he appears to have exercised an influence over grown people,” added the chief-detective. On behalf of the accused, Mr A. B. Sievwright pointed out that Boyd was a kleptomaniac in a sense, who picked up email - things here and there as he went about. Counsel contended that he was not the type of man who was a hardened criminal, but if given a chance would he an industrious citizen. He had an invalid wife," gn3 was earning £6 10s weekly. Counsel referred to accused’s previous good character, and submitted that if given a chance accused would avail himself of 4 it.