STOLE FIRM'S MONEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 229, 26 September 1940, Page 8

STOLE FIRM'S MONEY.

YOUTH WHO WENT ON TOUR.

COURT GRANTS PROBATION.

A Wellington grocer's assistant, Reginald Harry Roberts, aged 18, who stole his employer's money and set oat on a North Island tour, which was interrupted when he was arrested in Auckland by Detective P. R. Rogers on September 14, appeared before Mr. J. Morling, S.M., in the Police Court thi« morning. Roberts pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing two cheque*, valued at £6 10/7 and £25 in cash, of a total value of £31 10/7, the property of Star Stores, North Island, Limited. In a statement which he made to Detective Rogers, the accused said that on September 9 he was given the money to take to the bank, but as he had made up his mind to go to Auckland, he caught the 3 p.m. express that day and travelled as far as Palmerston North, where he stayed at a hotel. Before leaving Wellington he spent £15 of the money on clothing and a watch. From Palmerston North ho went to Napier, where he stayed till September 13. when he left for Auckland. He cashed both cheques at Napier. When accosted by Detective Rogers he had spent all the money. "1 now realise the foolishness of my actio* and I am sorry for what I have Roberts said. Detective Xalder, who prosecuted, said Roberts started work in the grocery e-tore at Wellington on August 1. He had been in trouble once before, when, on September 22, 1939. on a chcrge of theft, he was admitted to probation for 12 months. Accused's father, who had come up from Wellington, made an for a further chance for accused. He could obtain another position for him. "It is difficult to know why you should steal when you are in a good job," Mr. Morling said to Roberts. '"What you really deserve is a term in the Borstal, because this offence was committed while you were still on probation. However, as the probation officer has recommended it, I will extend your period of probation for another two years. I hope that in future yon will lead an honest life."

Roberts was ordered to make restitution of £31 10/7.