YOUNG MAN’S LAPSE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2653, 1 November 1923, Page 2

YOUNG MAN’S LAPSE.

A SAD STORY. Christchurch, October 30. A sad story of the lapse of a young man who was heading to- y wards a brilliant career was at the Magistrate’s Court this morning when Lionel David Page, aged 23, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing one book from Isitts Ltd. and further stealing a book valued at 13/6 from Whit combe and Tombs. Chief-Detective Cameron, said that on Saturday night, the accused went into Isitts and from there he went across to Whiteombe and Tombs. When he came out of there he was approached by the manager of Isitts who asked him about a book he had in his pocket. Page admitted that it came from Isitts, and that he had not paid for it. It was also found that he had a book which had been taken out- of Whitcombe and Tombs. Mr Alpers, who appeared for the accused said that Page was a brilliant young man, who would, in ordinary circumstances, have been a university graduate after this year’s examinations. His career had been an extraordinary one from boyhood and he was considered one of the finest characters turned out by his school. From school he went to university and his career-there was just as good. Page would be punched beyond all proportion to the nature of the offence. He was ruined ns far as his-profession of law was concerned and would be barred from entering- it. It seemed that the offences were the result of a sudden impulse. Page had accounts in each of the book shops and if he wanted a book there was nothing to prevent, him from buying it. Mr Alpers then called evidence as to character. Mr ,T. R. Cunningham, who employed the accused, said that his character was a fine one and he., would he prepared to trust him again and keep him on. “You set me a difficult and painful task in sentencing you,” said the magistrate to the accused. “You are a young man who has had all the advantages of life and you com--mitted two shoplifting offences. There is no reson why I should treat 'you differently from a woman who steals finery, or a young fop who steals clothing. Shopkeepers must he protected and imprisonment is the only punishment.” The sentence was seven days imprisonment. on each charge, the terms to he concurrent.