“CRIME DOES NOT PAY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 292, 1 March 1928, Page 1

“CRIME DOES NOT PAY”

JUDGE’S ADVICE TO YOUTH PROBATION FOR THEFT “I can assure you that crime does not pay. A criminal does not earn more than an ordinary labourer,” said Mr. Justice Reed in in the Supreme Court this morning when passing sentence on a youth who had pleaded guilty to theft and forgery at Pukekohe. “He is only 19 years of age, and such contact as he has had with the police has been more as the result of high spirits than any criminal tendencies,” said Mr. E. P. Leary, who appeared for the prisoner. Counsel admitted there had been a few minor offences against the prisoner, one of which had resulted in his being fined for speeding. When he found he was to go to gaol in default of paying the fine, and as he was frightened to tell his people, he succumbed to temptation. He was passing a mail box on the roadside belonging to a relative. A letter was lying on the ground, and the prisoner knew it contained a cream cheque. He endorsed the cheque and cashed it, using portion to pay his fine, and the rest he spent on clothes. It was unfortunate that he had made a false statement when questioned, but he later retracted this and told the truth. “As he is very young and as he has had a good reputation, I suggest that it is a case in which the law could extend probation,” said Mr. Leary. “I am pleased to see that the probation officer’s report is favourable to you,” said his Honour. “Your main fault seems to be laziness, and a judge does not like sending such as you to gaol. Your previous convictions are cetrtainly minor ones, but they point to a disregard to others. “This is the turning point in your life. You will either come up or go down, and I propos© to help you to come up. I warn you that if there is any lapse you will take the downward path. Your future is in your own hands, and I hope I will never see you in a criminal court again. “You will be admitted to probation for a period of three years, with the special conditions that you make restitution of the stolen cheque, £lO, and pay the costs of the prosecution.” After hearing an application for suppression of the name by Mr. Leary, his Honour said that the circumstances in the present case warranted such an order, although he did not make a practice of it.