DETERRENT SENTENCES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 1

DETERRENT SENTENCES

HARD LABOUR FOR HOUSEBREAKERS OFFENDERS INTOXICATED “I have to impose a sentence that will be a deterrent to breaking and entering,” declared Mr. Justice Smith, in the Supreme Court this morning, in sentencing Harry Collins and Henry Girling Arnold, to 18 months’ hard labour for breaking, entering and theft. THE pair forced a footpath grating -*- and entered the Shakespeare Hotel cellar, but secured only seven bottles of cordial for their trouble. Mr. Noble, for the prisoners, stated that both men were drunk when they committed the offence. Counsel re marked upon the apparent epidemic of housebreaking lately by drunken men. “Whether there is a microbe that has got into the Auckland beer, I don’t know,” proceeded Mr. Noble, who pointed out that six men charged with this offence at the present session were all under the influence of liquor at the time. The judge said that both men had extensive records. He believed, however, that the men were under the influence of drink, and that the offence was not so deliberately planned as it might have been. The sentences on each of three charges were made concurrent. GAOL FOR ROGUE Six months’ imprisonment was the sentence passed on Patrick Byrne, who was convicted of being a rogue and a vagabond. Byrne was caught at night on the premises of a monumental mason in the city. Mr. Noble explained that Byrne, who was one of the principal witnesses in a murder trial to be heard at this session, had been unable to obtain employment in Auckland, while awaiting the Supreme Court session. He had actually called at the police station seeking assistance. Beyond stating that he considered the jury’s verdict was justified, his Honour would make no comment as Byrne was a witness in the murder charge.