COURT NEWS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 267, 4 December 1939, Page 2

COURT NEWS

THREE YOUTHS CHARGED APPEARANCE AT HASTINGS Three youths who were alleged to have os’eaped from the Opotiki Jock-up while awaiting transport to Auckland, and who were recently arrested at Mnraekakabo, where they were found hiding in a drain, appeared before Mr. J. Miller, S.M.. at the Hastings Children’s Court last- week. f Two of the youths were charged with converting a motor-car at Auckland! and breaking, entering and theft at Opotiki. The three were jointly charged with the theft of benzine at Opotiki, escaping from custody at Opotiki, conversion, of a. car at-Tolaga Bay-,, and theft of benzine at Tolaga Bay. One of tlio youths was separately charged with the conversion of a cycle at Auckland. All three were remanded to. appear at Auckland on Friday, December 1, a report in the* meantime to be obtained from the child welfare officer as to the conditions prevailing in the home life of the youths. APPEARANCE BEFORE SUPREME COURT PROBATION FOR YOUTH The fact that Raymond George Sheppard' turned 18 on Wednesday of last week was found to make it impossible for M'r. Justice Callan to remit his case to the Auckland Children’s jC'ourt as His Honor expressed a desire to do. He appeared for sentence for breaking and entering and theft and lor unlawful conversion of a motor-ear. Mr. Armstrong said that one evening the prisoner went out and met- two , other boys, stole a ear from Onelnmga and drove to Opotiki, where they broke into a store for food. They broke awav from custody at Opotiki and stolecars in which they reached/ Hastings, where they were again arrested. “You have made a very had break for a young lad who has apparently lived a quite respectable life,” said HisHonor. Prisoner was placed on probation for three years and ordered to pay £lO towards the ee.st of the- prosecution ahd to the owners ol the stolen property. MAORI. "FIXED £lO RECENT OPOTIKI CASIO A charge of unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under 10 years of ago had been admitted by Wirepa Tangira. aged 27. Air. S. Hoi. who appeared on his behalf, said prisoner had- married the girl with her parents consent. His Honor said it would he unnecessarily cruel to send the man to gaol, hut there must he some punishment, and he would he fined £lO to bo paid within six months.' The alternative was fixed at three months’ imprisonment.