ONE MONTH’S PRISON FOR THREE MEN WHO CONVERTED CAR

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 November 1950, Page 7

ONE MONTH’S PRISON FOR THREE MEN WHO CONVERTED CAR

“Th?s question of car conversion is getting out of hand. I am satisfied that fines and probation will not stop it. I agree that I must consider these men, but I also have a duty to protect: the public. In the circumstances I would be failing in my duty if I did not impose a penalty that would be a deterrent to others like-minded.”

With this comment, Mr. S. S. Preston. S.M. in the Magistrate's Court, Wanganui, yesterday, sentenced three young men, Barry Daniel Bourke, shearer, 21, Patrick Desmond Walsh, labourer, 23, and Alexander Robert Byres, shearer, 21, to one month each in Wanganui Prison.

All three had pleaded guilty to a joint charge of converting a car valued at £9OO, the property of Sabin Victor Brewer, in Wanganui, on Monday evening. On the application of Mr. W. G. Clayton, the magistrate fixed security for appeal at £lO 10 in each case. The police prosecution said that at 7.30 p.m. Brewer parked his car in Sf. Hill Street while he attended a meeting, but left the doors unlocked and the key in the ignition. The three young men were seen trying the doors of parked cars till they came to Brewer’s. They then got in and drove away at about 7.45 p.m. The police were notified and Sergeant J. Clements and Constable A. A. Fraser assisted by traffic officers of the Transport Department and members of the Wanganui Motor Cycle Club, organised a network which covered all the outskirts of the Wanganui district. Two members of the club in Waverley were also communicated with and they set off by car and intercepted the three accused, near Waitotara, after which the men were arrested and brought to Wanganui. The police prosecutor added that all three were Wanganui residents. They had been shearing for the past few weeks and came into the city on Monday because of rain delaying their work. Their excuse was that they just took the car for a joy ride. None of them had previous convictions for dishonesty. They appeared to be good workers and came from good families.

“There is no need to stress that this car is valued at £9OO, and that the conversion of these cars is serious,” the police prosecutor added.

The car converted was of a type which stood out and was very attractive, said Mr. Clayton, for the accused. Counsel added that he would not attempt to excuse their conduct, but the key being left in the ignition was a temptation, and in this respect the public should be more careful. The men had consumed a few beers and took the car more or less in a spirit of bravado. They had actually turned back and were returning to Wanganui when intercepted. In the|

circumstances the three men. did not offer any resistance. They had not appeared before the Court previously, apart from Byres who had a conviction for an offence of a minor nature. The accused hid also had secondary education and the contractor who employed them sa’d that they were good workers, and that he was prepared to have them back in the shearing gang. “In the circumstances,” Mr. Clayton added,” I would suggest that a fine would meet the case. The men have been taught a lesson. They have spent a night in the lock-up, and it has been brought home to them how serious the matter is.”

“This is an all too prevalent offence,” said the magistrate. “People should be able to leave their cars in the sireet with safety.’ It was quite clear from the evidence that had thp accused not taken this car, they would have taken another, depending on which one they could have started up. “That these men had a good education is less excuse for the offence,” said the magistrate. Each of the three accused was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment.