“DESPICABLE CRIME”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 140, 16 June 1931, Page 8

“DESPICABLE CRIME”

LIFE'S SAVINGS STOLEN. £BOO OF FARMER’S MONEY. FOUR YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT. “You have been found guilty of a mean and despicable crime, and you will be sentenced to hard labour for fou years,” said the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, in the Supreme Court at Napier, when passing sentence on Peter Reilly, taxi-driver, who had been found guilty of the theft of £BOO from James Joseph Leonard, a retired far me*. Mr Tattersail, who appeared for the prison, said he had not previously been convicted of any offence. His Honour: He had £425 of Leonard’s money. Where is it? Counsel: My instructions are that he has not any. His Honour: Without any reflection on you, Mr Tattersail, I believe he has the bulk of the money planted away where he can get it. Counsel: I have made inquiries and Reilly says he has no money. His Honour: Well, 1 don’t believe him. Counsel: Reilly’s health is in a precarious condition. Since he was arrested he has lost over two stone in weight. His Honour: That is all right, but Leonard has lost his life’s savings. The sentence I propose to pass depends on whether he is prepared to make restitution. After conferring with Reilly, counsel said he could only repeat his instructions. His Honour, to accused; I want to give you a last opportunity. On April 1 you had £425 of Leonard’s money. Are you prepared to say where it is or what has become of it'/ Prisoner: 1 gambled it all away. “You have been convicted, md very properly convicted, of a mean and despicable crime,” said His Honour. “I have no doubt when you came in contact with Leonard you intended to get his money and you got it. Leonard was leaving the hotel where he was staying to avoid the temptation of drink, and then you led him into great temptation and he is now without a shilling. You took advantage of the earthquake and the fire to cover up your theft. “I gave you the opportunity of restitution, but you refused. I have no doubt you have the money planted somewhere, so it will be available *or you. If that is so, it will not be available for a very long lime.”