The Cattle Stealing Case.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1818, 9 April 1886, Page 2

The Cattle Stealing Case.

On Wednesday, at Wellington, John Pollock, convicted of cattle stealing, was brought up for sentence. His Honour said this was a case where, if the evidence was to be believed, the prisoner had deliberately driven out three calves from a neighbour a property to land not far distant just prior to a sale taking place, and it was apparent that he was under the impression that the cattle would have been sold and carried to some distance, where they would not be discovered. It was a rule that where property which is necessarily unprotected was stolen, the penalty should be more eevere than in other cases, and he was bound to allot a severe penalty in this case. The sentence of the Court was that prisoner be imprisoned for two years with hard labour.

John Freebody was next presented for sentence. He said he was perfectly iunocent. The Crown Prosecutor said it was only right he should inform the Court that the prisoner bore a very good character iu the Wairarapa district. He had been informed that the prisoner did not get any of the money paid by Lowes and Irons. Ho far as the police were awaie, there was nothing whatever against this prisoner which would lend the Court to deal with him otherwise than as a first offender.

Mr Beard said, if necessary, he could produce witnesses who would give prisoner an excellent character.

His Honour said his own opinion was that evidence of a good character, in the absence of any other mitigating circumstance, would not make any difference in the allotment of sentence. He was bound to gay this was not a cn'' in which there was anything to show tba» prisoner was misled by any conduct on the part of prisoner Pollock. If there had been any evidence that Pollock had stolen these cattle, and then misled prisoner, that would be a very good defence. There was, however, no such evidence before the Court, and there was no reason for making any difference in the sentence. On the contrary, if there should be any difference made, it should be in the direction cf increased punishment as prisoner was the master, «nd Pollock merely the servant. Prisoner would bo sentenced to two year’s bard labour. Post.