NINE PRISONERS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 300, 18 December 1931, Page 9

NINE PRISONERS.

Sentences Imposed in the Supreme Court. GAOL FOR A FORGER. Nine prisoners appeared before Mr Justice Adams for sentence at the Supreme Court this morning Wilkin Rainsdon Avery was sentenced to 18 months’ reformative detention on a chahge of theft from a dwelling house. The prisoner handed a written statement to the judge.

The crown prosecutor said that probation could not be recommended.

“ The probation officer’s report is very unfavourable,” said His Honor,

“ and the man’s record is most unsatisfactory.”

On a charge of breaking and entering a warehouse, and committing theft, James Patrick Gleeson was admitted to probation for two years.

Counsel for the prisoner said that Gleeson was only 17i years of age. He had not been able to get employment for a long time. At last he secured a job with a pie-cart, which necessitated his working late at night. Prior to his present trouble, there had been nothing against him. “ He was admitted to probation by the Magistrate on other charges,” said counsel, and given bail while remanded for sentence on this one. Though bail was forthcoming, he was so ashamed that he voluntarily spent the week in prison, and that was an experience he will never forget.” “ There seems no doubt he was led astray by bad associations,” said the Crown Prosecutor, “ and he certainly seems repentant.” Shop Entered. For breaking and entering a shop, with theft, Alfred Cox Small and Robert Manson were each sentenced to be detained for reformative purposes for a period not exceeding two years. “ It was certainly my fault that we did it,” said Manson. “ I was seven months without a job, tramping the streets. Necessity drove me to it.” “ These men met in prison,” said the Crown Prosecutor, “ and there formed the bad association which led to this crime. Both have previous convictions, and their records are bad. I cannot recommend probation.” “ Their reports and records go against them,” commented his Honor. An Exceptional Case.

“ This is an exceptional case, and I feel justified in extending some degree of leniency,” said his Honor, in sentencing Frederick William Hare, aged fifty-six, to two years’ probation on a charge of indecently assaulting a female. _ Counsel for prisoner said that as the result of a bad accident and an attack of rheumatism, Hare was a cripple, subject to partial paralysis. He had always been highly respected and regarded as a “ harmless old man.” Forgery Charge. “He has a bad reputation, and nothing can be said for him,” said the Judge, in imposing a sentence of tvrelve months' imprisonment on Edward Helmsley Dawson, who appeared on a forgery charge. Further Remand. Leslie Charles Barnett, Ronald Charles Gray, and Thomas John Hunt appeared together on a charge of breaking and entering a shop, with theft. The Probation Officer said that he had not been able to make a complete I report. The youths were already under his care, as a result of other charges dealt with by a Magistrate. The three were remanded on £SO bail, in their own recognisance, till February 9. Hector Robert Sumner Hepburn, charged with supplying the means to procure abortion, did not put in an appearance this morning. The Crown Prosecutor said that Hepburn was on bail in Ashburton, and that there had been a mistake in warning him of the date. Hepburn’s case was adjourned till this afternoon.