YOUTHS SENT TO GAOL

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLXI, Issue 15076, 23 June 1942, Page 3

YOUTHS SENT TO GAOL

SERIES OF OAR. THEFTS Electric Telegraph—Press Association NAPIER., June 22. A series of car thefts was admitted by two youths, Kevin Edward O’Keefe, aged 18, and George Stanley David Dorward, aged 19, in the Magistrates’ today. Mr Miller S.M., took a serious view of the offences, and sentenced both to prison terms, though probation had been recom mended. O’Keefe was charged with the theft of one car, and both were jointly charged with the theft of three other cars. Mr V. Langley represented O'Keefe, and Mr H. R. Bannister appeared for Dorward. Detective’-Sergeant McKenzie said that all the cars were damaged and then abandoned. At 11.45 p.m. on June 4, Leonard Robertson heard his car being started outside his residence in 'Sale Street. He gave chase and when the engine stalled he caught up with the vehicle. A struggle ensued, O'Keefe producing a , file and inflicting slight injuries on the owner. O’Keefe then escaped. When questioned both defendants freely admitted the offences, said Detec-tive-Sergeant McKenzie. Ris Worship referred to the seriousness of this class of offence, and said that though probation had been recommended, lie would be failing in his duty if he followed this course alone. O’Keefe was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, and Dorward to one month, on one charge. On another they were placed on probation for two years, and ordered to make restitution, and on another charge they were convicted and ordered to com© up for sentence if called on within 12 months.