SUPREME COURT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17075, 31 August 1917, Page 7

SUPREME COURT.

TWO PRISONERS SENTENCED

At the Supreme Court yesterday : two prisoners appeared before Mr. Justice Chapman for sentence.

ADMITTED TO PROBATION.

When William Dwyer was found guilty of the tlieft of two cows valued at £2 2, the property of Joe Marumaru, his Honor directea that inquiries should be made to see if he -had contributed to the support cf his wife. When prisoner came up for sentence yesterday morning the report stated that he had contributed very little towards her support, and she had to work for a living. It transpired that Dwyer spent most of his money on drink.

Mr. Allan Hogg, who appear^:! for accused, asked for leniency. The prisoner had informed counsel that these proceedings had been a lessou to him, and he would turn over a new leaf. He asked that the privileges of the First. Offenders' Act should.be extended to accused.

His Honor remarked that he did intend sending prisoner to gaol, but seeing that restitution of the £22 had to be made, his Honor thought that, a long term of probation would be the better course to adopt. Speaking to Dwyer, his-Honor said: "You have had a very narrow escape of being sent to prison, and I hope it will be a lesson to you."

Sentence was then passed as follows:—Dwyer was placed- on probation for three years. During that period he has not to take a drink, and he must keep away from all places where it is. sold. He must make restitution for the £22, and pay £5 towards Court expenses. The money must be paid back at the rate of 10s per week, the first payment to be made to the Probation Officer on October 1.

FAULKNER SENTENCED,

Percy Faulkner, who had pleaded guilty to the theft of 30s in money and an automatic revolver, the property of a Chinaman, and also to two charges of breaking and entering dwelling-houses by night, was next sentenced. "'•

Mr. Mackay asked the Court to' extend leniency to the prisoner a& far as it was possible. Prisoner's list'was a formidable one, and his Honor, addressing him said: "I have to treat with severity a man who goes into houses with a revolver, terrifying women." He then sentenced Faulkner to twelve months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent. On the first charge prisoner was also sentenced to two years' reformative treatment.