SUPREME COURT

Otago Witness, Issue 3313, 12 September 1917, Page 20

SUPREME COURT

His Honor Mr Justice Sim sat on Friday morning for the purpose of sentencing prisoners and transacting business in Chambers. The prisoners brought before him wer© William Frank Jones, Frank Rawlingson, and Robert Hagcn. Jones and Rawlingson were under sentence for three charges of theft. Rawlingson having against him two further charges of theft, and three of false pretences. Jones had a further charge of theft against him, while Hagen came before his" Honor for sentence on two charges of receiving stolen property. The articles stolen had "been taken from hotels and boarding-houses by Jones and Rawlmgeon, and Hagen had received some of them. Jones said he had tried to join the Expeditionary Forces, but had been turned down. He had been wounded in the head in South Africa, and drink affected him. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr W. C. MacGrcgor, K.C.) said that prisoner had been sentenced at Napier to one month's imprisonment for theft. His Honor sentenced prisoner to three months' imprisonment on each charge (four in all), the sentences to be cumulative ('making the term 12 months*, and ordered him to" be detained for reformative treatment for a term of not more than four years. Rawlingson said he had served in the Eiitrlish and Australian armies, and had taken coal and munitions to Gallipoli. Ho had tried to get away with the ,\e\v Zealand Forces. , The Crown Prosecutor said that on Aucrust 24 accused had been sentenced at Christchurch to three months' imprisonment for theft, and to three months' for false pretences' These offences were really a continuity of the present group of cases. His Honor sentenced prisoner to three months' imprisonment on each charge (II in all), the" sentences to be cumulative (making the term 33 months), and to commence °at the exniration of the sentences now being served" and oi-dered prisoner to be detained for reformative purposes for a term of not more than four years. Hacren had nothing to say. The Crown Prosecuotr stated that there were no previous convictions against the prisoner, but his character was reported as indifferent. . Prisoner was sentenced to six months imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be cumulative —12 months in all.