SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1930, Page 5

SUPREME COURT

CAMBRIDGE GANSTEES SENTENCED. (By Telegraph—Press Association), HAMILTON, July 24. The Hamilton Supreme Court wa crowded this morning with interestei i spectator's when six of the ten Cam ) ridge gangsters, who pleaded guilty o arson, theft and mischief came bei'or. - Air Justice Herdman for sentences. The charges to which the accusei pleaded guilty were:—John Meredith one charge of arson, two of theft; E IJ. Drown, six of arson, one of attempt ed arson, one of mischief and two o theft; Alfred I). Brown, five of arson and two of theft: JI. C. Hall, six o arson, two of mischief, one of theft John Featherstone, seven of arson, one of attempted arson, two of mischiei three of theft; W. S. Goodall, two ol arson and one Of tliefc. The two Browns and Meredith and Hall each were sentenced to two years imprisonment with hard labour and one arson charge is to be followed by reformative detention not exceeding three years. On each of the other charges they were sentenced to one month’s hard labour, sentence to be concurrent with other term of imprisonment. Featherstone and Goodall were each ordered to be detained in a Borstal Institute for a term not exceeding three years on the arson charge, and were sentenced to one month hard labour on each of the other charges } sentences to be concurrent. His Honour remarked that no doubt the Prison authorities would see the young men were not detained in the same institutions. Addressing the prisoners His Honor said he was puzzled to account for the extraordinary outbreak of crime. It was not want that had driven them to commit such serious offences, to which they pleaded guilty, nor did it appear to be a desire for gain. Moreover, it was not a sudden impulse that had caused them to go from place to place committing acts of destruction. His Honour said he could find no excuse for the conduct of accused, and could think of nothing that would explain it excepting a definite criminal instinct. They had acted deliberately and systematically, and the depositions showed that for months they had been engaged in a campaign of destruction and theft. How long they would have continued committing these, acts, of crime, had they not been arrested, it is difficult to say. ‘‘Fortunately,” added His Honour, “the vigilance of ; detective officers stationed in Hamilton, whose ability and. efficiency are deserving of praise, brought you to justice. It is now for me to make sure that for some time, at any rate, you will not be able to repeat your past performances.” Proceeding, His Honour said buildings had gone-up in smoke, stocks bad been burned, a car had been set on fire, and another car had boon thrown into- the river." Property to the value of £4OOO had been destroyed, an amazing record for a band cf young men. It is not often in New Zealand that a Judge has such a series of offences ..to consider !'■ j such a collection of young criminals to deal with. One thing certainly, you must lie punished with seven "y, and in such a way that other young men may lie deterred from imitating jour example.