MAN'S CAREER OF CRIME.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1713, 17 May 1917, Page 3

MAN'S CAREER OF CRIME.

SK\KA VGA US’ fIA if U EABOEH

"Yon are a curse to (ho community ami a meino'C to small children, and 1 would be lacking in my duly if 1 did not pul you old of harm's way for as long a peaiod its the law nill allow," staled Mr Justice Edwards in the Supreme Court, Wellington, on Tuesday, in sentencing \rthur Henry Woods. Woods, a man of diminutive stature, was tried on a charge of indecently assaulting a little girl aged 4 years and 11 months. lie pleaded not guilty, and asked whether he could have a solicitor. “No," said Mr .Justice Edwards, "it is much 100 late to ask for a lawyer." Mr B. G. H. Burn was chosen foreman of the jury. Four witnesses were called for (he Crown, and accused asked them no questions. He slated that he did not wish to give evidence. "1 am not guilty of the charge," was all he said. His Holloin' commented upon the fact that Ihe evidence was uncoiitradieted. There was not it shadow of doubt about the ease. Without retiring the jury returned ;i verdict of guilty. His Honour read out to the Court Woods' "record,” and in doing so revealed it career of crime, starting it way -back in 1892, when, on Bth November, he was convicted at Napier for (heft. In December of the s;tme year he was again convicted for theft, and sent to the Burnham Industrial School. He had eonvielioits for theft at Palmerston North and Wellington in 1990. and he received twelve months’ imprisonment for breaking and entering ol Wanganui in' 1901. On 13th March, 1902, at Wellington, he was convicted of vagrancy, and on 17th February, 1994, he received a sentence of live years at. New Plymouth for indecent assault. On 17th May, 1905, at Auckland, he was given an additional four months for escaping from custody, and on Bth September, 1908, at Palmerslon North, lie was sentenced to seven years’ hard labour on a second charge of indecent assault. His Honour then addressed prisoner in terms mentioned above, and imposed a sentence of seven years’ hard labour.