SOLDIERS CHARGED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 167, 17 July 1942, Page 6

SOLDIERS CHARGED

CONVERSION OF TRUCK ONE MAX SENT TO GAOL In the Magistrate's Court, Onehunga, yesterday, before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., two soldiers, Corporal Clifford Arns and Driver Maurice Charles Condon, pleaded not guilty to charges of converting an army truck to their own use and guilty to a charge of damaging the guard house to the extent of £5 10/. Arns was also charged with the theft of 16 gallons of petrol, to which he pleaded not guilty. Mr. I. J. Goldstine appeared for the accused.

Senior Sergeant M. J. Angland led evidence to the effect that at 9.55 on the night of July 14 the sentry on duty at the petrol dump in the camp was approached by Arns, who suggested that he should let him have some petrol. After he had refused, the sentry heard movements in the dump, and when a check was made four tins were found missing. A check of the trucks was also made, and one was found to be out of camp without authority. At 2 o'clock next morning a truck was seen to enter the camp gate and then the two defendants came from the direction of the truck. They were arrested and placed in the guard house. While they were there, it was alleged that the walls and desk were damaged.

Both defendants denied the charges of conversion and theft They stated that the guard house was in a filthy condition, and they broke the window to get fresh air. Arns, who had previous convictions, was sentenced to three months' hard labour on the conversion charge, and convicted and discharged on the other charges. Condon, on the conversion charge, was placed on probation for 18 months and ordered to make good the damage done.