THEFT OF MONEY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19958, 16 November 1934, Page 4

THEFT OF MONEY

YOUNG MAN BEFORE COURT Holding that although he was a firm believer in probation, the accused was not entitled to further consideration in this direction, Mr C. R. OrrWalker S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday sentenced Stanley Charles Smith to a period of reformative detention. Smith pleaded guilty to the theft of £4 the property of James Daly and to a breach of his probation order. Constable Anderson, who prosecuted, said that on October 26 Smith was present at Mr Daly’s garage while a motor vehicle was receiving attention. He noticed a pouch on a bench and thinking that it contained tobacco he prepared to make himself a cigarette. Finding that the pouch contained money accused took possession of it. Accused was employed by a farmer at the time of his arrest, and he was a good worker. He had previous convictions. The Magistrate: Have you anything to say? Accused explained that if he was given one more chance he would not appear in court again. He had a good job. The Magistrate said that he was a firm believer in the benefits of probation, and he was always prepared to stretch a point and give any young man a chance —even a second chance. Accused had already had Borstal treatment, two years’ probation in 1933 and just when that time was up in May last he again appeared before the court and was given another term of probation. He did not propose to grant him probation this time. He was ordered to be detained for reformative treatment for a period of not more than nine months. The Prisons Board might see fit to release accused before the nine months were up, but he was not prepared to take the responsibility.