PROBATION FOR SOLDIER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 39, 17 February 1943, Page 3

PROBATION FOR SOLDIER

TWO SPECIAL CONDITIONS IMPOSED “It is not much use releasing you on probation unless I impose special conditions,” said Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court, Wanganui, yesterday, when admitting a young soldier, Howard Halliday Crutchley, aged 18, to two years’ probation. Prisoner, for whom Mr. J. R. Brown appeared, had pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court to two charges involving indecency. The special conditions are that subject to Army orders, prisoner’s place of residence and employment shall be such as approved by the probation officer. The use of prisoner's leisure time must also be approved by the probation officer. Prisoner went to work at the age of 13 and before joining the Army last November was employed on a farm at Westmere, said Mr. Brown, making a plea of leniency on behalf of Crutchley. Counsel added that prisoner, when interviewed by the nolice on December 26, made a frank statement. He had come from a good home and it was unfortunate that during an important period of his youth, between the ages of 16 and 18 years, he should have been away from the influence of that home. Counsel submitted also that for 15 months Crutchley was the only employee on a farm and had lived alone at a time when companionship was essential to natural development. The charges were serious, said Mr. Brown, but they were acts of mischief committed by a boy who was now a man. He had previously borne a good character and the probation officer had recommended probation. “The acts were extremely repulsive and I would like to feel that you, yourself, thought they were," said His Honour, sentencing accused. “Apart from these acts you have borne a good character and have been a good worker. Counsel has put your case very fairly and I don’t propose sending you to prison as you are a first offender.

Accused was also ordered to pay the cost of the prosecution, £1 5s 6d, within one month.