THEFT FROM SHOP

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 942, 8 April 1930, Page 10

THEFT FROM SHOP

BURGLAR SENTENCED I tliink the best, course in your own interests is to sentence you to 3 8 months’ reformative detention and to recommend the Prisons Department to send you to one of the open-air camps where you will have a chance of prolonging your life, if not being cured.” Mr. Justice Ostler, in the Supreme Uourt yesterday, thus addressed August Arns, who appeared for sentence for breaking and entering a shop by night and committing a crime. On behalf of the prisoner, Mr. I-log-ben admitted there were two small previous convictions. His Honour commented that the calendar handed to him showed no convictions against the prisoner. 110 pointedly commented that a correct record should be supplied to the court. Counsel urged that the prisoner was an invalid rather than a criminal. In t ni l< L mi,itary cam P in 3 216, he contracted L B and on account of the death of ..the doctor who attended him, he had been unable to obtain a pension. I-Ie spent a long time in the Pukeroa Sanatorium and the Thames Hospital, fin - ally being discharged as incurable. In January last, the prisoner, in sporadic urinKmg, became acquainted with a man, now’ awaiting trial. Under the influence of drink, Arns broke open the door of the premises and his eompan--1011 entered and stole the money, and shared the proceeds with the prisoner Counsel referred to the foolishness of the prisoner, who had passed stolen gold and postal notes into currency. The Crown Prosecutor described the crime as premeditated; the men having met at 4 a.m. by arrangement, picked up a crowbar, and did the job,