SERIES OF CRIMES

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 287, 2 September 1942, Page 6

SERIES OF CRIMES

Borstal Detention For Youth

“The Court is only concerned to do what is best for this youth of 17| years,” said Mr. Justice Smith in the Supreme Court, Wellington, yesterday, in ordering Bernard Patrick O’Flaherty, labourer, to be detained in a Borstal institution for two years ou seven charges of breaking ami entering and thefts from dwellings, and one charge of breaking and entering with intent to commit a erime. His Honour said that the total amount taken from the dwellings was about £lOO. The probation officer had wisely obtained a report from a mental hospital expert, who had stated that prisoner would benefit by institutional treatment and discipline, and he must follow the advice of this expert. ' . Mr. N. T. Gillespie, in a plea for leniency on prisoner’s behalf, said that it, was difficult to account for the career of crime he had embarked upon. Lack of parental control through his father’s absence on military duties probably had something to do with it, but a contributing factor was no doubt prisoner's mental condition, caused by his having been knocked down by a bus when five years of age. His parents were under the impression that their son was in employment, as be regularly paid his board to his mother, lbs father was now able to be home at night and his parents were able and willing to take control of him. . Mr. W. H. Cunningham appeared for the Crown.