THEFT AND FALSE PRETENCES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 462, 12 June 1909, Page 3

THEFT AND FALSE PRETENCES.

FOUR YEARS’ IMPRISONMENT.

John Percival Hughes, who some time ago hung out his sign as a “dyer and cleaner ”in Foxton, and subsequently left for pastures new without saying farewell to his creditors, came up before His Honour Mr Justice Chapman at the Wanganui Supreme Court on Wednesday charged with having, on 26t April last, attempted to steal one horse, one gig, saddle, and whip, valued at the property of Richard Kendrick.

Accused pleaded not guilty. After hearing the evidence the jury, without leaving the box, returned a verdict of guilty. Accused then pleaded guilty to having, at Turakina, attempted to obtain £5 5s by false pretences. Mr Hutton read a number of previous convictions iu Australia and New Zealand, accused admitting the New Zealand convictions, but denying the Australian ones. His Honour deferred sentence till the following morning, pending arrival of documents from Australia.

On Thursday morning prisoner was brought up for sentence. Mr Mackay appeared for prisoner. His Honour upheld Mr Mackay’s contentions that, in the absence of tangible proof, the Australian convictions could not be considered. His Honor, addressing, the prisoner, said his past record, if the Australian convictions had been proved, would have justified him in sentencing the prisoner as an habitual criminal. Prisoner would be sentenced to two years’ on each charge, sentences to be cumulative.