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LEVIN BURGLARY CASES.

FIVE YOUNG MEN BEFORE SUPREME COURT. , REFORMATIVE DETENTION AND probation. When the Supreme Court sat on Wednesday, four youths from. Levin, James Leonard Webb, Howard Hmi-i-cth Stratton, Keith Drysdale, and A.len Drysdale appeared before Mr Justice Smith for sentence on charges ol burglary from W. M. Clark s, L.td., premises to which they had pleaded guilty. < , , Mr 11. R. Cooper, appearing for t ie prisoners, said he had been asked by the father of Keith Drysdale to plead for as light a punishment as possible and he suggested that the case was one for reformative detention, rather than- imprisonment, which might tutn him into an habitual criminal. It had been suggested that, he was probably not mentally all light, but that was for other authorities _to determine. Drysdale had been previously convicted, but not of dishonesty. His record ,showed that he was really the ringleader and possibly led the others into trouble. Reformative detention, where he would be put 'to something useful, might--be ednsidered. . In regard to Stratton, Mr Cooper said he was a hard-working young farmer living with his mother and looking in - ter her. Except for a certain wildness of youth he was of good character, and well-thought of by neighbours. Restitution would be made. Counsel suggested that this was a case for probation. Stratton had suffered tremendously through what had taken place. He had lost prestige which m a small community was a great punishment. Allan Drysdale, said counsel, was a motor mechanic serving an apprentice--, khip and his employer was willing to .take him back. It appeared that ue been more or less led by his brother. Unfortunately he had been out late at night drinking jiuid that, really was the cause of his committing the offence to which he pleaded guilty. Counsel regarded it as an act more of bravado. Webb, when asked why he committed theft, replied that he thought he was being brave. Counsel again suggested probation and asked for the suppression of the. names of the lasi two names. . ' K Mr:F. H. Cooke, Crown-Prosecutor, stated that the report of the police was .favourable in the case of Stratton and Allan Drysdale, rather bad in the .case of Keith Drysdale and not so good m ;thc case of Webb, who seemed to .look on the whole affair as a joke.. He was a member of a gang giving the Levin police a lot of trouble, liis Honour remarked that it was clear that Keith Drysdale was the ’ringleader and it was impossible, to grant him probation. There: might still be a chance of his becoming a useful citizen, so lie wmuld make an order for detention m the Boisttfl -In stitution for three years. ; Stratton had already been convicted bf disorderly behaviour, but- he proposed giving him a chance in view' off his good work on the farm. His sentence, 'would be probation for three ’ years jwith special conditions that, he pay Clank’s Ltd.', £2O at the rate of £2 per month; pay a third of the cost of the orosecution and cease to associate with Webb and Allan Drysdale during ; the term of his probation. ■ Webb was also given a chance, with probation for three years, the special terms being a refund to Clark’s Ltd., of £lO at the rate of £1 per month, , payment of a third of the cost of the prosecution, and that he cease to associate -with Stratton and Drysdam during his probation. Allen Drysdale, vvh o . appeared Mo have been led into mischief, was admitted to probation for two years, and'Ordered to refund Clark’s £5, pay a thiid of the costs of the prosecution and cease to associate with Stratton and

Webb during his probation. Keith, Drysdale received a similar sentence on three other charges to run concurrent with the first. His Honour declined to suppress .the

pames of the accused. Wm. Rikibana, represented by Mr Cooper, was sentenced to reformative (detention for two years. Counsel pleaded that prisoner 3 health was such that ho was under the care of a- doctor every month. Unfortunately he got into bad company and was often the worse for liquor. Counsel suggesterT probation in view of hbi ill-health. Accused was practically unfit to work. His Honour pointed out that accused had been before the Court before on four occasions, being convicted of assault-, wilful damage, and being on licensed premises when he should not have been. It was not a proper case for probation. Prisoner would be under the care of the prison authorities.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/SNEWS19281123.2.18

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Shannon News, 23 November 1928, Page 3

Word count
Tapeke kupu
757

LEVIN BURGLARY CASES. Shannon News, 23 November 1928, Page 3

LEVIN BURGLARY CASES. Shannon News, 23 November 1928, Page 3

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