WAR 0N GANG VIOLENCE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19128, 24 September 1936, Page 8

WAR 0N GANG VIOLENCE

SENTENCES IN ENGLAND

]G MEN GAOLED

JUDGE'S STERN WARNING

LONDON, July 20.

Heavy sentences were passed yesterday by Mr. Justice Hilbery at Sussex Assize's, Lewes, on 16 members of a London race-gang who were found guilty of a, murderous attack on a bookmaker's clerk at Lewes races in June. The sentences, which totalled 43£ years, included two of five years' penal servitude, one of four years' penal servitude, three of three years' penal servitude, five of two years' hard labour, two of two years, and three of 18 months.

Mr. Justice Hilbery addressed a stern warning to the convicted men. "Crimes of gang violence in this country," he said, "will meet with no mercy. Let that be understood by each one of yon, and let it be understood by your many friends who have congregated at this assize to hear your trial, and to be about the precincts of this court. "Gang violence, is not only a brutal breach of our law, but it exercises terror 011 its victims."

Nearly 100 members- of a big London race-gang are believed to have been in (ho crowd outside ihe court when the sentences were passed. Scotland Yard, it is understood, had been warned that attempts might be made to attack persons who had given evidence, during the trial. As witnesses left the court, police cars manned by Flying Squad officers followed those who were driving back to London in cars. Other officers accompanied witnesses returning by train. STAMPING OUT TERRORISM The police are determined to stamp out the first signs of any revival of racecourse terrorism. The handling of the Lewes case is an example of the stern measures that have kept it undei for the past five years. Scotland Yard has dossiers concerning hundreds of men known to be associated with race-gangs. Many have criminal records. They are now so closely watched that it is difficult for them to gather in force. Not only on racecourses, but in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield and other towns constant watch is kept on the movements of these men. Many are quietly "warned" from time to time about, the probable outcome of any attempt to make trouble. The incident at Lewes is believed to have been the outcome of an isolated quarrel rather than an organised vendetta.

Many would-be gang leaders know that they are under constant polico supervision. Their habits and movements are so well known that they have little opportunity of inconveniencing the public.