CAR CONVERSION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 November 1940, Page 9

CAR CONVERSION

YOUTHS SENT TO BORSTAL. PERIODS UP TO THREE YEARS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. When several youths appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, yesterday on charges of car conversion Mr. Stout, S.M., remarked that some further charges of the kind were to be brought in the Children’s Court later this week. “It shows that this offence is getting out of hand,” he said, “and I am afraid that any consideration the Court would like to give to individuals must now be put aside. Owners of cars and the public must be protected and deterrent sentences must be inflicted.” Terms of detention in a Borstal institution were prescribed.

Harris Swatton, aged 18, admitted converting to his own use two motorcars, and was ordered to be detained in a Borstal institution for one year. Senior-Detective W. McLennan said Swatton was associated with some other boys in cases that were to come before the Children’s Court.

Mr. T. P. McCarthy said Swatton had attempted to enlist in the Air Force and had been told he would be accepted when he was a year older. No damage had been done to either car. Frank James Hitchens, aged 18, who was associated with Swatton in the two offences and pleaded guilty, was dealt with in a similar manner. On his behalf Mr. A. J. Mazengarb said his home circumstances were not of the happiest. He was hard working, and his prospects with the firm that employed him were bright. A previous conviction against his name was the result of his giving way to temptation while a juvenile. Brian Desmond Larsen, aged 18. Frank Ronald, Anzac Ross, aged 18, and Dennis Grennell, aged 17, were jointly charged with converting a motor-car, theft (three counts), and breaking panes of glass (two counts). Larsen and Grennell were jointly charged with car conversion (five counts), theft (five counts), and breaking panes of glass (two counts). They denied each allegation. Senior-Detective McLennan said the damage to the windows was done when the boys broke into two schoolhouses and a shop. Mr. E. C. Wiren appeal'd for Larsen, Mr. R. Hardie Boys for Grennell, and Mr. A. J. Mazengarb. for Ross. The magistrate said that the offences were far too serious to be treated lightly, and remarked that Larsen and Grennell were to appear in the Children's Court on a number of additional charges. He ordered Ross and Giennell to be detained in a Borstal institution for two years, and Larsen foi three years.