¶1The defendant -prays this Court for review of the records and for his discharge from custody.
¶2The sentence of not less than twelve years and not more than fifteen years, imposed in Gaston County in 1957, is excessive. The applicable statute, G.S. 14-70, provides for punishment of not less than four months nor more than ten years. Consequently, the sentence is excessive both as to its maximum and its minimum. Even so, the defendant is not entitled to his discharge since he has not served for a period in excess of that to which he might have been lawfully -sentenced. S. v. Austin, 241 N.C. 548, 85 S.E. 2d 924; S. v. Byers, 248 N.C. 744, 105 S.E. 2d 71.
¶3This cause is remanded to Gaston County for the imposition of a sentence not in excess of that authorized by law. The sentence imposed) will be effective -as of 13 April 1957, so that the defendant will have the benefit of the time already served. S. v. Clendon, 249 N.C. 44, 105 S.E. 2d 93.
¶4Since the sentence imposed in Gaston County in 1957 will be vacated, this will make uncertain the time the sentence imposed in Stanly County is to begin; therefore, upon the imposition of the -authorized sentence in Gaston County the cause will then be remanded to St'anly County for imposition of an appropriate sentence based on the defendant’s plea of guilty on the bill of indictment charging -him with an escape at the July Term 1958 of the Superior Court of Stanly County. S. v. Clendon, supra.
¶5Remanded.