TWO YEARS’ GAOL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20543, 19 February 1935, Page 7

TWO YEARS’ GAOL.

Sentence Passed on Receiver. A SERIOUS CRIME. Sentence of reformative detention for a period not to exceed two years was passed upon Edwin Joseph Fearon, a tobacconist, by Mr Justice Johnston, in the Supreme Court this morning. Fearon had been convicted on five charges of receiving stolen property*. Mr Thomas, counsel for the accused, admitted that the case had caused him considerable worry, because it concerned a man who had once had a decent reputation. 'lt was a serious crime. The accused was under thirty y*ears of age, and had recently been married. Mr Thomas admitted the seriousness of the crime of receiving, but submitted that the men who had tempted the accused were already established as thieves and were selling to other receivers. Fearon had been tempted to buy and had fallen. Finally, Mr Thomas submitted that the crime was not that of receivership at all. The accused was a first offender and he felt justified in asking for leniency. Application Refused. Mr Justice Johnston said that, if it were possible, he would like to accede ,to counsel’s request for leniency* and grant probation. However, owing to the nature of the offence, it was his duty to refuse the application. The jury*, continued his Honor, could have hardly come to any other conclusion on the evidence. The disclosure of the startling ease with which stolen goods could be disposed of was alarming, and the fact that thieves had found it so easy to get into tquch with Fearon was surprising. Others engaged in the nefarious trade must have given information that it was safe to approach the accused. Severe Punishment. It was very difficult to “ sheet home” charges of receiving, which might be called the foundation of burglary, and it was essential that the public should know that these receivers would be severely punished. It was perfectly true that the accused's conduct had formerly been exemplary, but the crime of receiving was so serious that sentence must be sufficiently severe to act as a deterrent. He would be sentenced to reformative detention and, by good conduct, the Prisons Board might favourably consider his case at some future date. Fearon was sentenced to reformative detention for a period not to exceed two years.