GAOL AT TWENTY-ONE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 254, 18 June 1932, Page 2

GAOL AT TWENTY-ONE

JUDGE CONDEMNS jtrDICIAL SYSTEM FOR MAKING A CRIMINAL. FURTHER SENTENCE REFUSED. "There have been sentenees upon you which are a disgrace to the judicial system of this country," said Mr. E. G. Hemmerde, K.C., the Recorder, at Liverpool Quarter Sessions, to James Williams, aged 63, who was charged with stealing a purse valued at 6d from a woman's handbag, reports the Manchester Guardian. The police stated that when Williams was 21 he was sentenced to five years' penal servitude for stealing a purse. He had since served two other terms, and altogether had thirty-two convictions. The Recorder: *1If you send a man to penal servitude for five years at 21, what else can you expeet?' The police stated Williams was released from prison on license in July, 1931, and this expired in fourteen days. Another conviction might eUtail his completing the previous sentence, but it was a matter for the Prison Commissioners. Given a Chance. The Recorder (addressing Williams) : "So far as I am concerned, I am not going to send you to prison. You. have been to prison enongh. I bind you over to come up for judgment when fcalled upon, and hope there will be no interference by anybody else." Williams: "If I had been f.reated like this thirty years ago I would have been a different man to-day. I know men with records as bad as mine whom you have. given a chance. They are going straight to this day." A prison officer, intervening, said Williams would have to remain in custody until the expiration of his license in fourteen days. The Recorder. "Very well, to avoid any complication I shall postpone sentence until next sessions. Meanwhile, Williams, you will be released on your own recognisances, and I will communicate with the Prison Commissioners."