TWO MEN SENTENCED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 41, 19 February 1943, Page 3

TWO MEN SENTENCED

OHAKUNE BURGLARIES

Having pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’t Court, Ohakune, to two charges of breaking and entering and theft, Donald Morris, wood splitter, aged 27, and Patrick Walsh, timber worker, aged 51, appeared for sentence before Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court, Wanganui, yesterday. Morris, for whom Mr. H. M. Keesing appeared, was admitted to probation fo?' a period of three years and was also ordered to take out a prohibition order which must be renewed <luring the second year of his probation. Be was also ordered to make restitution and to pay the costs of the prosecution, £1 Is, within one month.

Walsh, who was not represented by counsel, was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, concurrent, on each charge. His Honour commented that he had nc doubt that Walsh was the ringleader.

The accused were jointly charged with breaking and entering the premises of Ohakune Junction Cash Stores, Ltd., on January 24 and stealing a safe and contents, £9l 5s 3d, and stores of a total value of £l5O. They were charged also with breaking and entering the shop of Maxwell Selwyn Gould and stealing £2 in cash. Mr. Keesing submitted that Morris had a.i exceptionally clean record and his lapse was an isolated one due to hi:, association with a man who had been in trouble before. His Honour said he had no doubt thu: Morris was under the influence of liquor. Drink appeared to be his trouble and tor this reason he must take out a prohibition order.

Walsh, asked it he had anything to say, said he had been drinking and remembered nothing from shortly after 4 p.m. on the Saturday till next morning when he woke up in a car.

His Honour said that in view of the essential work Walsh was performing in the timber industry, a sentence of nine months’ in prison would probably meet the ends of justice.