Corpun file 24999 at www.corpun.com

The Toronto Daily Star, 12 March 1946, p.8

Robbed Grocer, Get 10 Years, 10 Straps

Whitby, March 12 -- Ten years in Portsmouth penitentiary and 10 strokes of the strap was the sentence imposed by Judge D.B. Coleman yesterday on Frank Cast and William Garbutt, both of Toronto. The pair were convicted of armed robbery of an Oshawa grocery store Nov. 17. Harold Sproule, manager of the store, was shot through the hand in the hold-up.

"There has been too much of this armed robbery business lately," Judge Coleman said. "According to the evidence this is a serious case, with one man shot, one hit in the face with a gun butt and other citizens placed in jeopardy. There are no grounds for a light sentence."

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The court ruled that five strokes of the strap be administered within three months of sentence and the other five within six months.

Cast and Garbutt were brought to Toronto shackled hand and foot. They were placed in Don jail and will appear next month to face a charge of armed robbery of a St. Clair Ave. W. drug store.

Fearing an attempt might be made by the prisoners to escape, police and sheriff's officers guarded them closely. Cast had been sought as a member of the "polka dot gang" prior to his arrest on the Oshawa charge.