MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17711, 15 May 1929, Page 8

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

BORSTAL FOR YOUTH. THEFT FROM EMPLOYERS. HOME INFLUENCE LACKING. Lack of home influence and parental discipline was responsible for the downfall of William Leslie Veale, a youth who appeared in the Hamilton Magistrate's Court this morning to answer several charges of theft from his former employers at Walton and Matamata. The articles stolen were two bicycle lamps, a pair of leader reins, a pair of pliers, a milk strainer, a screw wrench and several teat cups. Mr N. Johnson, for accused, pleaded guilty.

Senior-Sergeant Sweeney said accused, who was aged IS4, committed the thefts at the homes of various farmers by whom he was employed. James Nicholson, a farmer of Walton, was going through accused's possessions when he discovered the stolen articles, including several belonging to himself.

Constable Leckie, of Gisborne, read a statement by accused in which he alleged that Nicholson was responsible for him stealing the articles.

Mr Johnson said it was difficult to understand how Ycale came to make such serious allegaPons against his employer. Most of the articles were useless to him, but they might be useful to Nicholson. No effort was made by accused to hide the articles or dispose of them for cash.

Counsel described accused as one whose life had been unfortunate. His parents had separated when he was a boy of I*2 and he had lived at the Salvation Army Home at Putaruru for four years. Since 10 lie had been working and supporting his mother at Gisborne. He 'submitted it was a lit case for probation. Constable Leckie said the father had never properly looked after his children, and the mother at Gisborne did not bear a good character. The children had been neglected. Veale had - done no work at Gisborne for some time.

“There are several displeasing features of the case,” commented the Magistrate. “Veale has tried to inculpate his employer. His offences appear to be the result of lax upbringing. He has been away from the influence of his parents since he was 12. What he needs is discipline. Probation would afford him too much liberty."

Accused was given a term of two years in the Borstal Institute.