LIKE MAD DOG

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 313, 26 March 1928, Page 12

LIKE MAD DOG

MUST BE PUT OUT OF HARM’S WAY “ARTISTIC” CRIMINAL An habitual criminal with a record extending over 15 years, William Scholes, to-day received sentences totalling six years’ imprisonment from Mr. Justice Blair, on 21 charges of false pretences, one charge of theft and a charge of escaping from custody. “The nature of the charges and the fact that he is an habitual criminal, make it extremely difficult to say anything in his favour,” said Mr. J. J. Sullivan, for the prisoner, in the Supreme Court, “but his one hope is to get back to his people in England, where he could be cared for and helped to go straight.” “As far as I can see,” said his Honour to Scholes, “as soon as you get out of gaol you go mad with a pen and a cheque book and, like a mad dog, you have to be put out of harm’s way.” His Honour said the prisoner did things artistically, and continued to do so as long as there were fools enough to be taken in. There was, however, something in what Mr. Sullivan had said, and that if he could get back to his people he might become a decent citizen. While in New Zealand, however, h,e would have to be kept out of the way, but if he would make representations to his people in England, his Honour would recommend that he be sent home. The hoard would no doubt be glad to get rid of him. His Honour at first imposed a sentence of five years on the false pretences charges, but later altered this, stating that he was tinder the impression that forgery was the charge. Scholes was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on the first charge, two years on the second, and one year for escaping from custody, all sentences to be concurrent with the present sentence of two years nowbeing served by the prisoner. SHELTERED SCHOLES TOOL SENT TO GAOL Involved in a series of charges of false pretences with another prisoner, Edwin Andrew Simpson to-day appeared before Mr. Justice Blair in the Supreme Court for sentence. A long plea was made on the prisoner’s behalf by Mr. Gregory, who asked that probation be granted. He staled that although the Probation Officer did not recommend that course, he thought, because Simpson was a first offender, and because he was the tool of William Scholes, who had already been sentenced, he was justified in receiving probation. The prisoner had not been in any trouble before, and it was clear that Scholes had got him under his thumb. “I would like very much to agree to the request of your counsel,” said his Honour to Simpson, “but I can’t overlook the fact that you were sheltering Scholes, and helping him to carry on operations from your house. You were one who foisted the cheques on the tradesmen.” His Honour said he had heard a great deal about blaming the tradespeople for accepting cheques, but he would like to point out that most business was done by means of cheque, and tradespeople had to take a risk. If he gave probation in this case the position would be that everyone who came before him, no matter how serious the charge, would be entitled to probation. He thought the prisoner should be given another chance, but he could not do it. He would impose a sentence that would enable the Prisons Board to deal with the question. Simpson was sentenced to a term of reformative detention for two years.