"CUNNING THIEF"

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 79, 30 September 1931, Page 11

"CUNNING THIEF"

SERIES OF OFFENCES

TWO YEARS' GAOL

Described by the police as a bad I thief and cunning to a degree, Harold. Charles Martin appeared for sentence in the Supreme Court to-day on ten charges of breaking and" entering. by day-and theft, a charge of breaking and catering by night and theft, a charge of forgery, and ten charges of theft, to all of which he'had pleaded guilty at Stratford. Mr. Coleman, as counsel, referred to boyhood offences committed by Martin, in the hope,, -he said, that they would react in his favour. l ; .- : ■ ■ In answer to Mr. Justice- MaeGregorj who asked whether he had seen the reports of tho police and the Probation Officer, Mr. Colcma i said he took exception to certain; statements mado- ia. the Probation Officer's report. Continuing-, his address, Mr. Coleman said that the first act of dishonesty was conimiteted when Martin was 11 years of age, and was attending the primary schoo). Later at the New Plymouth Boys' High School he committed petty thefts and was practically expelled. In almost every instance the articles stolen wore of no appreciable value to the boy,, and it was-difficult to know why lie. took them: Apart from tho prisoner's acts of dishonesty his character was good, and counsel submitted that there were several features about the case- which justified leniency being extended. ' • ■ His Honour referred to the fact that the prisoner was given a bad report by the Probation Officer and by the police, and on.each of the charges sentenced him to .two years' reformative treatment, the sentences to be concur'