BANK HOLD-UP.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19051, 15 September 1933, Page 8

BANK HOLD-UP.

PALMERSTON AFFAIR. ACCUBED MAN SENTENCED. STRONG PLEA FOR LENIENCY. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. Four years in a Borstal Institute was the sentence imposed by the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, to-day, on William Murn MacDonald, aged 19, who caused a sensation at Palmerston North on August 11, by holding up a bank teller, and who also appeared for sentence for other offences at Palmerston and Masterton. For the prisoner Mr H. E. O’Leary said it was realised that because of the seriousness of the offences probation or extreme leniency was' out of the question, but he pointed out that MacDonald had always been highly strung and somewhat reckless in spirit, and had an exaggerated idea of his capabilities, with an intense desire to get away from New Zealand and adopt flying as a profession. . His temperament was sueh as to lead him easily into the course he took, a career of dishonesty culminating in a theatrical and hopeless action in the bank affair. Ilis Honour commented on certain extraordinary features of the case, and referred to the necessity of imposing a sentence which would be a deterrent to other youths. It might be that prisoner’s ’conduct called rather for treatment in a different kind of institution, but there was no evidence to justify him acting on that assumption. Accused would be kept under observation, and the authorities would act as it appeared necessary.