LAW REPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1070, 8 March 1911, Page 7

LAW REPORTS.

SUPREME COURT. THE NEW STYLE IN.XRIME CASES. . HOW WRONG-DOERS FARE, Fonr prisoners ivero brought before Mr. Justico Chapman yesterday morning for 'sentence. In each case his Honour applied the provisions of the Crimes Act of last session. . Case I: "A Failing Which You Can . Cure." ■ Allan Jamos Dix appeared for sentence on a. charge of breaking and entering the shop of Mary Costcllo, Wellington, on February 6, and stealing certain articles. The case was dealt with by Mr. Kiddell, S.M., on Feuruary 15. ■ ~ ,Mr. Neavo (Crown Prosecutor) gave the prisoner's crime record as six convictions, which dated from October, 1000, to August, 11J08. He was 29 years of age, and a seaman by calling. His general character was stated by the police to bo bad. .His Honour: Yom\ punishments so far have not seemed effective. Under tho powers of the new Crimes Act you will now' be detained for reformative treatment, and it is hoped that after you have been some time under that system y<ju will become a better man. In your written statemont you say that your offences are due to drink. That is a failing of which you can cure yourself, and you will have .every assistance under tlio new treatment. Dix was then sentenced to ono year's imprisonment, to be followed , by. three years' detention for reformative purposes, Case 2: Question of Age Raised. Robert Bell, alias Iboll, alias Snell, came up for sentence on two charges of forging and uttering at Wellington. The dates of the offences were December, 1010, and January, 1911. There were fiveprevious convictions. • Mr. Weston, who appeared for the prisoner, pointed out that 3} years had elapsed between tho ■ timo that Bell had last come out of gaol and his present offences. Drink seemed to havo been at the bottom of the trouble. Prisoner's was,thirty-five years. In the event ot a_ long sentence it would bo difficult for him, on being released, to get employment owing to his advanced age. Mr. Weston suggested a period of reformatory treatment. , Honour remarked upon tho number \ if tho prisoner's convictions, and his Vybility to be treated as an habitual c\_Tunal. His Honour would be inclined to iraposo this sentence now were it not that, under the new Act. lie could give him a period of reformative treatment. It woyld be., ogen to the Prisons Board to releisa him before tho expiry of his term if ho behaved himself. The senteuco imposed would bo one year's hard labour, to bo followed by three years' detention for reformative treatment. Case 3; "It would Lie with Himself." Charles R. Smith came up for sentence from' Wnngamii for the theft of .£l2 from James Howe. The ease was heard 'at the Wanganui Magistrate's Court. Mr. Jfeavo stated that there were four previous convictions against accused, ne was a cook by trade. His Honour ,said that lie would "he the accused a chance by sending him to prison for reformative treatment. Under tho new system he would have, a chance of obtaining probation, though his Honour could not promise such release. It would ho with himself. His' sentence would bo one year's hard labour, followed by three years' detention. . A Blenheim Case. Thomas Dockesey, alias Sharo, appeared lot: sentence on three Charges-of forg-"B.-and uttering. -The accused had come before, tho S.M. Court at Blenheim on February 25, s last The three offences were committed at Blen|ieim and Picton all in-January of this .year. The .accused, handed his Honour a statement. ' Mr..Neavo. said- that very little was known ot tho prisoner. He had-arrived Jrorn England a little over a year ago He was twenty-eight'years "of"age,'and was a clerk His character, : so far as the police could ascertain, was good. ■ Had there been ono charge against the prisoner; said his Honour, he might havo treated him 'very leniently. But the fact ttiat ;li3 had committed several distinct oflences seemed to show that ho had mloptecLthis course.somewhat systematical.l}'• He.would be detained for twelve months on each, charge for'reformative purposes,, the terms to bo concurrent which would mean that he would-be de.tained for twelvo months. If lie behaved nimself, the Prisons Board might release mm earlier. •