THE PLEA OF DRUNKENNESS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 194, 6 August 1908, Page 2

THE PLEA OF DRUNKENNESS

AN AUGRA\ ATIOX NOT A PALLIATION OE AN OEEENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. In sentencing some prisoners at me Auckland Supreme Court this afternoon, Mr. Justice Edwards laid down the principal that the fact that a man was drunk was no extenuation for crime, Daniel O'Keefe, a young man, admitted having stolen from a dwelling, and Dr. Bamtord, who appeared for him, urged that the benefits'of the Eirst Offenders' Probation Act should be extended to his client, Counsel admitted that O'ltcefe had been convicted under the Police Ollcnccs Act twice before, once lor drunkenness, and once as a rogue and vagabond at Palmerstou North. The prisoner, in explanation of his present offence, stated that he was under the influence of liquor at the time. His Honor; A man, honest when sober, does not become a thief when drunk. Dr. Banii'ord, however, submitted that there was no other explanation of his client's conduct and pointed-out that OTvecfe, alter committing the offence, immediately repented. His Honor did not soe ,his way to admit OTCecfc to probation. The benefits of the Act were for those who yielded to sudden temptation, or perhaps under the influence of need, but there were no such redeeming features in tile present instance. The fact that O'Keefe got drunk early in the morning before committing the offence was an aggravation, not an extenuation, of his crime, and in the interests of the public he should be placed somewhere where he could not get drink, A sentence of one year's imprisonment would be imposed. Walter David Scott, brought up on two charges of false pretences, also pleaded drunkenness as an excuse, but his Honor again classed this as an aggravation, not a palliation, of the offence, and the prisoner, having previous convictions for false pretences against him, was sentenced , to 18 months' imprisonment on each charge, tllie sentences to be concurrent.