THE GIBBONS CASES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 May 1931, Page 5

THE GIBBONS CASES

THE SENTENCES. \ (By Telegraph—Per Press Association) DUNEDIN, May 1. At the Supreme Court, Leslie Win. ■t. mins on three charges of breaking omering. and theft, and one charge of bieakiig and entering, and two charges of theft, was sentenced to two years gaol and two years reformative. Basil Charles Gibbons on two charges of breaking and entering was sentenced to two years’ reformative. DUNEDIN, May 1. William Arthur Hamilton, 34, tor indeceiit’y assaulting a boy was sentenced to one year and nine montiis’ reforma live. THE CHARGES. Leslie Wiiliam Gibbons, and Basil Charles Gibbons appeared] to answer the following charges:—1. That on January 29 they did break and enter by night the premises of James Alexander Galbraith and stonl therefrom a safe, containing £2O 12s 6d in cash, and books and papers, the total value being £39 15s fid. 2. That on February 17 they did steal two suitcases and a hat box, valued at £6O, the property of Jean Campbell. 3. That, on February 19 they did steal an attache case find contents}, valued n( £2 His fid, the property of William John Pritchard.

4. That on February 19 they did ni» tempt to break and enter the house pf Raff’aol Equalise with the intent ip commit a crime.

5. That on February 19 they did break and enter the counting house of Edward James Brewster, stealing a bit and stamps to the value of 2s fid. (i. That -on February 19 they did break and enter the shop of George j bompson, stealing a razor valued at Bs. Leslie Gibbons pleaded guilty to all tlie charges; Basil Gibbons pleaded not guilty to the first lour charges and guilty to charges 5 and. fi. Mr White appeared for tlie two accused. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr F. B. Adams) said that Leslie Gibbous had pleaded guilty to all the charges; Basil Gibbons had pleaded guity to only two charges .Considering tlie nature of the offence, lie thought the Crown would be justified in entering a nolle prosequi in the cases in which Basil Gibbons 'uul pleaded not guilty. jf his Honor would consider the position, there might be no need for a trial. His Honor said lie had considered the depositions, and he thought the course Mr Adams had proposed so far as Basil Gibbons was concerned was tlie proper one. -Mr White said that Leslie Gibbons had returned to Dunedin from Blenheim only on Friday night last, and there had since been no opportunity to go into the matter. He asked that the sentencing of the two accused .stand over for a few dnyn.

His Honour said flint the trial of Basil Gibbons on the matters alleged in the first four cases would be formally adjourned until the next criminal session of the court in Dunedin, am? he would remand the prisoners in custody until Thursday morning for sentence on the charges to which they had respectively pleaded guilty.