GIVEN A CHANCE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 224, 20 April 1933, Page 5

GIVEN A CHANCE

Young Man’s False Pretence CHARGE AT STRATFORD COURT Probation for 12 Months On the recommendation of Sergeant T. Kelly, a young man, who appeared in the Stratford Police Court to-dnv on a charge of false pretences, was placed under probation for 12 months in order to allow him to rehabilitate himself.

Herbert Porter, 27 years of age. a, mechanic, and residing at Palmerston North, was charged before Messrs. W. Mclnnes and A. E. Moss. J.P.’s, with at Stratford on September (5, 19.22, with intent to defraud obtained from Messrs Kleeman and Bishop brake lining and rivets to the value of £1 10s lOd by falsely representing tbat the goods were for Arthur Denny Walker. Accused pleaded guilty.

Relating the facts of the case Sergeant Kelly said that Porter had ordered the goods, stating they were for Walker, for whom ho was repaying a motor-trn'ck. Walker was wellknown to the firm and the goods had been given to Porter and charged up to Walker. Porter actually carried out the work on the lorry and duly presented his account, including the sum, of £1 10s lOd. Walker paid him in full, but later received an account from Messrs. Kleeman and Bishop for the sum of £1 10s lOd. Porter said that there must have been a mistake and promised to interview the firm on tho matter. He shifted his abode to' Palmerston North, however, without finalising the question, and he was subsequently arrested there on a charge of theft, which arose from h ! s disposal of a motor-cycle which he possessed under the hire-purchase system. For that offence he was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. “Chance of Rehabilitation” “As probation officer I would like to say something on this young man’s behalf,” continued Sergeant Kelly. “Since coming out of prison he has secured employment as driver of a transport conveyance from Palmerston North to Wellington, but if be is cast into prison he will become one of the unemployed. Under the circumstances, however, there is a chance of him rehabilitating himself. It is not a question of convenience between the Bench and the police, but a matter of helping this young fellow to get back to a proper standard of life.”

Sergeant Kelly suggested that a period of, say, 12 mouths’ probation, would enable the police to watch the progress of Porter in his endeavour to make good. The Bench: If he can earn something there is no use in sending him to gaol, where the country would have to keep him. We propose vo place him under probation for six months. ,

Sergeant Kelly said that it was only in very rare cases that only six months’ probation was imposed. He suggested that 12 months would be a more suitable period in which to allow the police to watch the young man. During that time he would be under the supervision of the poliee and would thus have a much better chance of getting on to the path of rectitude again. Porter was placed under probation for 12 months and ordered to make restitution of the amount of £1 lbs lOd and pay expenses 10s.