PREVALENT CRIME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 7

PREVALENT CRIME

BREAKING AND ENTERING YOUNG MEN SENTENCED The prevalence of the crime of breaking and entering was commented upon by Mr J, B. Deakcr, appearing for the Crown, when four young men came before Mr Justice Kennedy in the Supreme Court yesterday for sentence. Mr Deakcr said that the matter was causing grave ■ concern to the police as the offenders were new criminals and difficult to detect. “ Victim of Times ”

“We suggest that this boy is a victim of the present unsettled times and has lived his years of adjustment in a somewhat difficult and uncertain period,” said Mr A. J. H. Jeavons, for Cyril Eugene Ryan, aged 19, a factory hand, who appeared for sentence on a charge of breaking and entering a dwelling house by night with intent to commit a crime. Apart from various youthful misdemeanours for which he had been before the Children's Court, he had not been in trouble. He had the reputation of being an excellent and steady workman, and his employer was prepared to re-engage i him. “The change in circumstances,” counsel added, “appeared to be due to the prisoner's meeting an ex-school-mate who had been associating with hoodlums and potential criminals. The offence was the sequel to a party at which there had been wild and disorderly conduct and drinking.” His Honor said that the prisoner’s record was not entirely cleaffi, but the probation officer recommended as an alternative to the Borstal that the prisoner should be released on probation. His Honor added that he proposed to give effect to that recommendation, and the prisoner was released on probation for a period of two years, subject to the usual statutory conditions and to special conditions that he should abstain from intoxicating liquor and the company of heavy drinkers, that he should take out a prohibition order, should be in by 11 p.m. unless with the prior permission of the probation officer, that his wages should be subject to the latter's control and that he pay the costs of the prosecution (£1 Is) within seven days. Admitted to Probation Colin Nash, aged 28, a panel beater, who was represented by Mr G. T. Baylee, appeared for sentence on a charge of breaking and entering a shop and theft. Mr Baylee said that since the prisoner had entered business on his own account, his average takings had been between £9 and £lO a week, and there was no need for him to commit the offence. He had had some drink, however, and had pushed open the door of a fish shop. After having some oysters he had taken 18s 3d from a till. He was standing at the back of the shop when a police constable who was passing walked in and arrested him. It appeared on the face of it to be a “ drunken escapade.” “ The evidence scarcely supports the statement that you had been drinking,” said bis Honor, addressing the prisoner. “Apart from the drinking, however, there was no preparation by you to commit this offence.” Nash was released on probation for a period of two years, conditions being that he should make restitution of the amount of damage (£1). within seven days and should pay the costs of'the prosecution (£1 Is) within seven days. Sent to Borstal Harold William Hodgson (Mr J. S. D. More), aged 18, a labourer, and William Joseph Salmon, aged 18, a tinsmith, appeared for sentence on charges of breaking and entering a warehouse and theft “ There is no doubt that for a young man of 18, Hodgson has a shocking record and this offence seems to be a culmination to some years of offences of a very bad nature,” said Mr More. It was the first, time, however, that he had appeared before an adult court. For the past eight years he had been without parental control. He appeared to have been one of a gang of young hooligans in the city. Mr Stevens said that Salmon had had no parental control since the age of nine and had simply drifted along and associated with bad companions. A gang was formed, and the prisoner became a member of it ; . He did not appear to be a criminally-minded young man, but it was hopeless for him to be in the city. • . His Honor said that Hodgson had gone into a liquor store at night, ransacked the office and forced open a desk, stealing liquor, a rifle, and other things, and leaving the place in disorder. He was arrested when consorting with young girls. “ You have frequently been before the court for dishonesty and disorderly behaviour, though this may be the first time you have been before the Supreme Court.’ said his Honor to the prisoner. “ You have been behaving in the city like a larrikin, and you are a nuisance to law-abiding people.” A . Hodgson was ordered to be detained in a Borstal institution for two years. Addressing Salmon, his Honor said he had been given similar chances when he was before the court for dishonesty and disorderly behaviour, and the time had come, by some other method, to convince him of his folly and his duty to the community. _ It had been said that he was not criminally minded, but his actions were those of a young criminal. “You are a nuisance also to a law-abiding community, said his Honor, ordering that Salmon should be detained in a Borstal institution for two years.