LENIENCY EXTENDED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23731, 11 February 1939, Page 6

LENIENCY EXTENDED

ACCUSED ADMITTED TO PROBATION ATTEMPTED BREAKING AND ENTERING William Palmer Foley, who pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to break and enter the shop of Rhoda Hurrell on December 28 with intent to commit a crime, appeared for sentence in the Supreme Omrt yesterday morning. Mr C. J. L. White said the accused was 53 years of age and married. He was a painter by trade, and had been successful in his occupation until the depression, when he lost his employment. He appeared to lose heart, and took to drink, which was the principal cause of his present offence. The Chief Justice (Sir Michael Myers) said that the probation officer's report was favourable, and in view of that fact he would give the accused another chance, although he very much doubted if he deserved it. If the accused lived a decent life in future and refrained from coming' before the court again the leniency would be justified. Another thing that prompted the court to extend leniency what that no materia] damage had been done. The accused would be admitted to probation for two years on condition that he paid the costs of the prosecution (£5 4s) and the. amount of the damage done (2s), and took out a prohibition order covering the period of his probation.