THREE MONTHS' GAOL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 4, 16 January 1942, Page 5

THREE MONTHS' GAOL

THEFT FROM RESTAURANT

money taken from, till

Described by the police as a "bird Passage, John Jamicson Frazer appeared before Messrs J. T. Merry and C. Pipe, J.P's at the Opotiki Police Court, charged with stealing the sum of 9/-, the property of M. Lukan, restaurant properitor.

Sergeant J. Isbister prosecuted and told the court that accused was a "bird of passage." He arrived in Opotiki on Friday and ordered a meal at the fish shop. While Mr Lukan was away getting the order ready he heard the till ringing and Avent out and saw Frazer standing nearby. Nine shillings was missing from the till. Mr Lukan got in touch with the police and lie (the sergeant) went down and found the two men arguing. Accused was searched and the 9/- was found. Accused said he got the money from South Island friends at an hotel. He hatf a list of 34 convictions since 1932 including almost everj r crime on the calendar.

Accused told the court that he was a hard-working man kiyl he was going to get a job at Tauranga, cut-* ting trees for the paper• miil&v? He asked that he be only fined arid he allowed one month in which to pay the fine.

When informed that he would, not have to wcirry about a job for three months, accused expl-essed great indignation and said he was being sen-, tenced in view of his previous convictions.

The bench however told accused that the state coukl care for him for the next three months and he was sentenced to three months' hard labour in the Auckland gaol.

An order was made for the return of the 9/-> to Mr Lukan.