THEFT FROM THE STATE

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1930, Page 11

THEFT FROM THE STATE

PROBATION PLEA FAILS REQUEST FOR HARD LABOUR. BIGAMIST’S STIFF SENTENCE. : j By Telegraph —Press Association. :; Auckland, Last Night. 'Several; prisoners were sentenced today by Mr. Jlustice Smith at the Supreme Co(urt.. Richard James Lanigan, aged 26, formerly a clerk in the Lands Department, was sentenced to 18 months’ reformative detention for theft of £2BO while a Government servant. Counsel said that two years ago prisoner’s wife became ill and, faced with bills, he converted t,wo. large denomination stamps into cash; and he went on doing this. “While it is fairly clear that .the prisoner is unlikely to offend again,” said His Honour, “I have a duty to the State and therefore cannot grant probation. If I do it will be an intimation to every State servant with dishonest tendencies that he may take up- to ■ £3OO. without fear of punishment, £ take irtd consideration in fixing the sentence that the prisoner has confessed of his own accord. “It appears you have been engaging in gambling, and that was the cause of your lapse.” James Porter, aged 23, a stablehand, was sentenced to three years’ reformative detention for theft and breaking and entering and theft. Prisoner asked that the terms-be hard labour, but His Honour declined the request, stating that it would be in the prisoner’s interest' that lie should undergo reformative detention.

Stating that he had been unable to find any extenuating circumstances, His Honour passed sentence of three years’ imprisonment with hard labour a Owen Barber, aged 45,' a fanh -labourer, for bigamy. “The circumstances of your association with this other woman amounts to cold, calculating bigamy, for which there is no excuse,” said His Honour. “Apart from that, you .have inflicted grave and serious injustice 'upon a young woman.”