Magistrate’s Court Gaoled For Two Years And A... (Press, 1 November 1966)

On 1 November 1966, various sentencing outcomes were reported from the Magistrate's Court, with several individuals facing convictions for crimes including burglary, car theft, assault, and driving-related offences. William Francis Sheary, aged 29, received a sentence of two and a half years for eight burglary charges and one of car conversion. Although the Magistrate acknowledged Sheary's clean record in New Zealand, he highlighted Sheary’s extensive criminal history in Australia, noting that while he had avoided trouble for two years, his past warranted a significant sentence. Gary Harold Jeffries, 21, was sentenced to two years in prison for unlawfully taking a car and multiple counts of burglary committed throughout October. The Magistrate pointed out that Jeffries had previously benefited from probation but showed no improvement, leading to a strong warning prior to sentencing. George Francis Williams, 27, faced a fine of £100 for driving while disqualified, a charge he had accrued multiple prior convictions for. The Magistrate considered his previous record but noted he had refrained from trouble for the past two years. Consequently, his disqualification was extended by a further year. Young defendants Wayne Clifford Pool, aged 17, and Joseph William Stevenson, aged 17, both received probation for two years for their respective theft and burglary charges, while the latter could remain free ahead of a forthcoming court date related to his co-defendant. In other cases, a charge of assault against Stoyan Prochkoff was dismissed, while Murphy Komene Cassidy, aged 24, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for loitering with felonious intent. Several other defendants, including Ernest William Hamill and Kenneth Noel Bevan, faced fines for their varied misdemeanours, including burglary and causing disturbances. A notable case involved David John McLaren, 25, who was remanded for sentence after stealing alcohol from the hotel where he worked. Additionally, Edwin Ernest Ballock, aged 45, faced a fine for assaulting a woman, despite having a reputation for violent conduct. In summary, the proceedings reflected a mix of community service, fines, and imprisonment, with some individuals being offered probation instead of jail time based on mitigating factors such as their previous conduct and personal circumstances.

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