MAIL BOAT ROBBERY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3933, 20 April 1929, Page 3

MAIL BOAT ROBBERY.

GORDON AND BEVAN SENTENCED. Thomas Gordon and Arthur Henry William Be van, the hvo young men who pleaded guilty to ‘the theft of postal packets from the ferry steaimer Waihine, appeared before yiv Justice MacGregor in the Wellington Supreme Court on Wednesday for sentence. Counsel for Bevan said that he appeared to have been the “mug” in the affair as the police did not suggest that he 'had done anything more than keep watch to see that no one interfered. Counsel for Gordon said that he had worked since he was 11 years old and as a youth he haid worked for some years in a racing stable. He had taken the full responsibility for the robbery and desired to be sentenced to a term of hard labour. His Honour: Why does he want hard laobur? Counsel: He realises that he cannot expect too much leniency and that physical work will, perhaps, do himi good. His Honour: I mean, what did he have before? Counsel: Reformative detention. His Honour: I see, and he did not like it. The Crown Prosecutor said that the police regarded Gordon as a person of very had reputation and the ‘makings of a daring criminal. His Honour stated that Gordon seemed fast becoming a hardened criminal. He had asked for hard labour and he would get it. He would be sentenced to three years’ hard labour. Bevan was ordered to the Borstal Institute for a period of two years. A sum of £l6, which Bevan admitted was part of the proceeds of the robbery was found, and this was ordered to be returned to the Post-master-General.