YOUTHFUL OFFENDER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2564, 7 April 1923, Page 3

YOUTHFUL OFFENDER.

ABSCONDS FROM WERAROA. SENTENCED TO GAOL FOR THEFT. Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., presided at the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North yesterday. Leslie John Bush, a youth of 17 years, appeared on a charge of absconding from the Boys’ Training Farm, Weraroa, and that, at Shannon, .lie did steal a metal watch and chain, valued at 14s 6d, the property of John Henry Grenfield. Senior-Sergeant Fraser stated that, on February 12, the accused had been sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment.for theft at Napier. An application" had been then made that* lie be'THitsferred to Weraroa" and this wa's granted. While at that institution lie complained of being sick and was taken Jo fjevin to be inspected by a doctor. The latter engaged, the bojr had taken the opportunity to make his escape. He had called at Mr Webb’s residence at Tokomaru and had been given a bed. Early next morning he had inquired the timetnf an "employee named Crenfield and had waited till the latter had gone out for the cows and had then purloined the watch. He had been recaptured at Napier. Senior-, Sergeant Fraser informed the Bench that3 ie accused had openly boasted that he would not stay at Weraroa if he. were, returned there, and the Juvenile Probation Officer had termed "him an unfit subject for admisbioif at the Weraroa Farm. On the charge of absconding, accused was ordered to be returned to Werproa, and on the second charge was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labour in Wellington gaol, with a recommendation that he be sent to the reformative institution at Invercargill, An order was also made for the return of the watch to its owner.