THREE YEARS’ DETENTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3822, 24 July 1928, Page 2

THREE YEARS’ DETENTION.

FOR LOCAL YOUTH. At the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday 7 , before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., William T. B. Procter, pleaded guilty to the theft of two shillings’ worth of tobacco, from S. J. Barrett, of Foxton. “This boy 7, Avho will be 18 years of age next month, is beyond all control and Avon’t work,” stated Senior Detective Quirke in addressing the Court. “About seven years ago he Avas sent to Wellington receiving home from which he ran away. He Avas then transferred to a Wanganui home and again ran away. Next he Avas committed to the Weraroa Training Farm from which he absconded several times. Finally he was sent to another school, being released about four years ago. Since then employment had been found for him but he wouldn’t work. He had been suspected of many thefts in the Foxton district. His father was dead, and his mother an invalid. The lad Avas quite out of control and it was suggested that a term at the Borstal Institute would enable him to learn a trade and discipline.” His Worship agreed that a term of Borstal would do Procter a lot of good. It Avould give him a chance of becoming a decent citizen and learning a trade. Procter Avas a ccordingly' sentenced to three years’ detention in the Borstal Institute.