YOUTHFUL BURGLAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 39, 9 May 1927, Page 9

YOUTHFUL BURGLAR

PROBATION REFUSED A YEAR’S IMPRISONMENT “This is not so much a crime of burglary, but a crime of mischief,” stated Mr. Dickson, in pleading for Herbert Kilburn, a 17-year-old youth, found guilty of breaking and entering with intent to*■ commit a crime. Counsel stated that accused had been under the influence of an older man, his accomplice in the offence, and had no previous convictions. “If he was a year younger,” said Mr. Dickson, “he would have come before the children’s court.”

Counsel stated that prisoner was a young man, who had previously led an honest life. He was highly t olten of by his employers, and he submitted that it was a case in which probation could well be granted. His Honour Mr. Justice Herdman said that although prisoner had not been previously convicted of burglary, he had been caught red-handed breaking into a house. Burglary was on the increase in New Zealand, stated His Honour, and he did not think many of the crimes were the work of experienced criminals, but of larrikins. It had been stated by the police that prisoner was one of the larrikin element, and also that he consorted with undesirable persons. If he allowed probation in the present case, said his Honour, he would be giving a premium to burglary. Prisoner was sentenced to one year’s impr iso nment. with hard lab our.