IMBECILE DEALT WITH

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1930, Page 5

IMBECILE DEALT WITH

(Bv Telegraph—Press Association)

AUCKLAND, Dec. 3

When a constable arrested Vincent Crichton, 26. a labourer in the act of giving a false fire alarm on November 21, lie arrested more than a mere mischief-maker. That was made dear in the Police Court to-day when Crichton was charged with giving three false alarms and twice setting fire to a private house. Magistrate Hunt said lie had a long reuort from the Mental .Hospital Superintendent who concluded that- Crichton was an imbicle of criminal type and a menace to the community. Accused’s counsel said it was obvious lie must be committed.

The Magistrate: ‘‘l think this will clear up a lot of undetected crime, I understand a large number of cases have been traced to him.”

Detective Kelly: “Yes. The damage he caused runs into thousands. He admits setting fire to a warehouse in Auckland about 1926. The amount paid in insurance after that fire was £-12.600.”

The detective added that accused also admitted when a boy that he set lire to the Napier Street School in Auckland and Foxton School. Also (unptv houses in Wellington. and freezing works in Nelson. Accused had. Item employed at the works and admitted he set fire to his own tent. The damage at the works, which was tired twice, amounted to £3OOO. The machinery was also damaged. r l here were other similar offences. Accused was committed to the Auck. la in 1 Mental Hospital.