WANTS TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY SOON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18642, 20 December 1928, Page 1

WANTS TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY SOON.

ACCUSED ASKS FOR LENIENCY ON BEHALF OF HIS RELATIVES.

“ I have no alternative but to plead guilty, your Worship,” stated Preston Edis Luce Broad, in the Magistrate's Court to-day, when charged with stealing, on November 16. clothes valued at £5 12s 6d, the property of Charles Sidney Bell. Chief-Detective Carroll said that accused was before the Court about a fortnight ago, when he was given twelve months’ reformative detention. The clothes were found in the possession of accused, who had quite a record. Acciised stated that he was drinking heavily at the time and knew nothing about the theft. He would plead guilty, and he asked for leniency in the sentence in order that he might leave the country as soon as possible. lie said that he wished to spare the feelings of his relatives in England, and could camouflage from their knowledge his .sentence of twelve months’ gaol, it was on behalf of the relatives, and not for himself, that he pleaded for leniency'. The Magistrate (Mr E. D. Mosley): The sooner you get out of the country the better. “ Yes,” assented accused. The Magistrate said that in order not to disturb the previous sentence, accused would be convicted and discharged.