SCENE IN A COURT

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 24, 23 October 1920, Page 8

SCENE IN A COURT

I'LMSONHI? PROTESTS AGAINST ' EIGHT YEAKS' HAKD LABOUR.

Br Telegraph—Press Association Auckland, October 22. "I think accused is a Bolshevik," said Mr. Hunt, when perusing the Police report in tho Supreme Court to-day, on John William M'Clure, who admitted nine charges of breaking and entering; nnd theft, and n tenth charge of breaking and entering with intent. The crimes were committed over u wide area, moat of them being at Thames. Mr Hunt said accused was reported to have objections to- existing law, and to have slated thai he would conlimio to commit offences ns long as the law continued in its present form. Until four vears ago, when M dure was, js venrs of age, lie had lived a decent life, but he suddenly went wrong, apparently undor some kind of.-influeur.ee. In tlies* four Tears ho had been convicted a number of limes, and- in August last, lit Palnicrston North, lie was sentenced, tn three vears for breaking and entering, which'he was now serving. His Honour (to prisoner)-.' It is clear vo'i are unfit to be at large, and .hat you are a dangerous criminal, ho far os breaking and- entering and- stealing piopsrly is.concerned, you are sentenced to five years' imprisonment, -vyitli hard labour., to begin at the end of your present sentence. ~ , . Tho prisoner: That is eicht rears hard "lliTllonour: Considering the number of buHarien you nave committed, I think it is very moderate. , . ~.. Prisoner: It has been brought out that I am not very normal .men ally. Hono serve eight years' hard labour for doingalot of trivial things? I would prefe? to be classed as a lunatic. I have never injured a working Tnan, or robbed n orphan DMrt P-" ""ftii Twa hot when I was not in gaol till I was , of remarks in a loud voieo, and after I, ing Sml by Hie Judge that lie would examinedliyaaoctortoascw.., mental condition, he was removed m tho d t of a speech about "not car ng Mother he got; anotlie,-two yeaior contempt of Court, and tnla ■ lie *ouW f ooner be condemned as a 1 una c than go thvoush eiuht years' hard labour.