FINAL CHANCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20133, 30 December 1939, Page 6

FINAL CHANCE

PROBATION GRANTED MAN’S MANY OFFENCES PRIVATE VEHICLES TAKEN ( Pit Press Associal ion.) WELLINGTON, this day. Donald Victor Allen, aged 19, an engineer, who appeared in the Police Court to-day on 15 charges of illegally using private vehicles and three charges of stealing, was convicted and placed on probation for three years on one charge and on the others was convicted and discharged. An order was made against him receiving a. driving license during the period of probation, while the stolen property is to be returned to the owners. All the cars converted were of one make, and two of the charges concerned the same car on different dates. The total value of tire vehicles was assessed at £2275. The articles stolen were two spanners, an oil can, a wire brush, an ignition screw-driver, a box of fuses, a box oi' valve insides, a pair of leather gauntlet gloves, and a clock. The accused pleaded guilty to all the charges, and during the hearing the police mentioned that damage assessed at £5 5s had. been done through forcing the handles of several of the cars. The clock, which was valued at £4, had not yet been recovered.

The accused’s employer testified as to his character and expressed his willingness to take the accused back and allow him to complete his apprenticeship.

The magistrate, Mr. W. F. Stilwell, said: “I have the advantage of a fairly lengthy report from the probation officer. ' Your conduct up to these offences has been exemplary in every way and I share with the probation officer a very great difficulty in coming to a conclusion as to what is tlie right thing to do with you. These are serious offences, and I cannot do anything but regard them in a very serious light.” Time alone, added the magistrate, would disclose whether probation was .justified. It was the accused’s final chance.