Heavy Sentences for Housebreakers

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 793, 14 October 1929, Page 1

Heavy Sentences for Housebreakers

TWO MEN GAOLED “OFFENCES MUST STOP” The perpetrators of nine housebreaking crimes in Auckland between August 23 and September 21, Leslie Robert Ashfield and Charles Giboin, who employed the melodramatic method of leaving their “visiting cards”- —a joker or ace of spades—were sent to gaol for three years’ and two years’ hard labour respectively, iu the Supreme Court this morning. Both men were seamen, Ashfield being 24 years of age and Giboin 25. Appearing for both prisoners, Mr. Noble said that Ashfield, who was a Londoner, and well connected, was a sick man. He suffered severely from asthma. A stranger in New Zealand, he was utterly destitute and had come to a stage where he had to commit crimes. “It seems that the economic position of the country has a lot to do with it,” continued counsel. Ashfield had been previously convicted, but counsel appealed to the court to treat him leniently in view of his health. Giboin had never been convicted before, proceeded Mr. Noble. He, too, had been workless for some time, and with his position becoming desperate, he was, no doubt, led away by his companion. “It is clear you engaged in systematic thefts,” commented the judge, addressing the prisoners. In view of their admission of such a serious set of offences, it was impossible to admit them to probation. Ashfield had been convicted previously and had served a sentence of two years’ detention. “The economic conditions of the country, however bad, do not justify thefts,” observed his Honour. “These offences of breaking and entering have got to be put down and the sentences must be adequate.” Ashfield was sentenced to three years’ hard labour. Dealing with Giboin, the judge said that although no previous convictions against him were shown, he had pleaded guilty to nine offences. “You have got to be taught that thefts of this kind will not pay,” added his Honour, in passing a sentence of two years’ hard labour.