Young Man Leaves Family Starving

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 137, 31 August 1927, Page 1

Young Man Leaves Family Starving

“OUT-AND-OUT SCOUNDREL”

THREE YEARS’ REFORMATIVE DETENTION “fPHIS man is an out-and-out JL scoundrel—he’s carried out no term of his probation. He left his wife and child starving, and has gone to live with another woman by whom he has two children. “He’s one of the worst cases 1 ve ever had.’

When Harold Raymond Kerr, aged 27 heard the Probation Officer, Mr. \v. J.’Campbell, make this report on him in the Police Court to-day, he smiled. The smile vanished when Mr. b. K. Hunt, S.M., sentenced him to three vears’’ reformative detention. Kerr pleaded guilty to charges of obtaining quantities of butter and eggs valued at £l7 2s 4d, and a ton of corrugated iron, valued at £ u o, by fal He P plelded S ' not guilty to three charges of obtaining petrol and a motor-cover valued at £7. . He was also charged with failing to comply with the terms of his release °"Evidence* was given that he had obtained these goods by-falsely represent ing that they were for his fathei. A “CARRYING” BUSINESS Giving evidence on his own behalf, Kerr said that he had started business as a carrier, and he had told the men from whom he bought the petrol and the motor-cover that the goods were for himself. . , lovtl Chief-Detective Cummings. lia\ e you got a truck-driver’s licence. “Yes,” replied accused. “Where is it now?” “I can’t say,” said accused. Mr. Cummings: You know the City Council would not give you a licence because of your criminal history?

Kerr did not answer. Mr Cummings then put it to Ken that he had told a pack of lies when interviewed concerning the offences. Again there was no reply. AT HIS WITS’ END

Mr. Jordan, who appeared for accused, said that his client had domestic troubles. There were commitments to meet, and he was at his wits end for '"“Then he did the foolish tiling and took to drink,” said counsel. The probation officer said that ac cused had first of all been placed on probation for false pretences, and l iter was sent to prison for theft. Then Mr. Campbell told the court of accused’s conduct. ••You get three years reformative detention.” said the magistrate to accused. “That’s how we treat people I who ignore probation.”