NO PROBATION FOR PERJURERS INA WILLS SENT TO GAOL FOR YEAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 192, 3 November 1927, Page 1

NO PROBATION FOR PERJURERS

INA WILLS SENT TO GAOL FOR YEAR

“DELIBERATELY GAVE LIE TO POLICE”

YOUR story was palpably untrue. In several instances you asked the jury to believe that the police officers had committed perjury and conspired to give false evidence, and in those circumstances probation is out of the question,' said Mr. Justice Reed this morning in sending Ina Beatrice Wills to gaol for reformative detention for twelve months.

QN behalf of the prisoner, who was • found guilty of receiving stolen property, Mr. J. F. W. Dickson made a long and earnest appeal. He said she was 25 years of age, and had a good record. He understood that the Probation Officer suggested probation. She was, in the true sense of the word, a first offender, and had never before been in trouble. The prisoner had lived in New Plymouth for many years and only arrived in Auckland in July last to commence business. The jury had found her guilty of receiving, and. he would suggest that it did not believe her to be in the conspiracy. “I do not agree with that,” said his Honour. “WITHIN THE LAW”' Counsel contended that the verdict meant that she was not in the conspiracy and that she did not meet Skinner by arrangement. She did not set out that night with the intention

of committing a crime. “I put her in the position of a woman who. with no criminal intentions. suddenly finds herself in the way of temptation. and unfortunately gives way to it.” he said. "This is her first escapade; her first criminal act: and the first time she has put herself within the law." Speaking of a deterrent Mr. Dickson said he did not think there would ever be another woman burglar before the courts, and whatever punishment was inflicted it would mean that there would never be a similar case. He asked that a member of the weaker sex be not sent to gaol for the first time. “If a person goes into the witness box and deliberately gives the lie to the other witnesses, especially the police officers,” said his Honour, “it has been laid down that probation is not for them. “This woman gave the lie to three police officers over matters on which there could be cio mistake, and under no circumstance will I grant probation. “In those circumstances,” said Mr. Dickson, “it is unfortunate for any one of the community who runs foul of the police force.” His Honour; You must not say that, Mr. Dickson. Counsel said that if his Honour had made up his mind he could go no further. He pointed out that the prisoner was in a precarious state of health. “You have been found guilty of receiving stolen goods,” said his Honour in addressing the prisoner, “and the jury evidently did not consider itself justified in saying you participated in the breaking and entering. In determining the punishment, 1 have to consider ail the circumstances, and I can have no reasonable doubt that you knew everything that was going on. and were a party to the whole proceeding. “No reliance can be placed on Skinner’s evidence, as he was evidently an unmitigated scoundrel, but he spoke the truth when he said he met you by arrangement,. It is impossible to believe that you just drove about the streets and picked him up. “The perjury committed by you mtist be taken into consideration. There may be an excuse for a prisoner fighting for his life, but yours is a bad case. “I would not be doing my duty to the public if I did not impose a sentence.”