SHOP ENTERED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 41, 17 April 1942, Page 5

SHOP ENTERED

INCIDENT AT EDGECUMBE

YOUNG MAN FINED

Before Mr (5. A. Brabant and Mr J. G. Mulholland, Justices <;f the Peace, Moko Hunia, of Te Teko, mil! hand, was last Wednesday charged with breaking and entering the shop of Hay and Rogers at Edgocumbe with intent to commit a crime therein was withdrawn by leave of the Court, and one of "being found on property without lawful excuse but not under circumstances disclosing criminal intent" was substituted. Mr O'tlev appeared for the accused and pleaded guilty. His counsel then outlined the unfortunate up-bringing of the accused stating that he was almost simple. Had only readied Standard 2 at school and at the age cf 13 years he Avas taken under the guidance of his elder brother who had brought him up and only recently relaxed supervision. Accused was very honest, did not drink and only recently began to smoke. He was a very hard Avorker and had never missed a day's Avork during the last three years and had not Avastcd his money. His employer was most anxious to have him back at woirk ngain. Counsel further stated that the accused did not enter the premises Avith any criminal intent. The windoAV Avas open and he just Avent In and the owner saw him and chased him off the premises. I am sure the accused Avould be seriously affected by a term of imprisonment And if the Bench AA'ould take into consideration his up-bringing and steady Avorkmanship and inflict a fine, his brother Avould see that he did not stray again. After consideration of counsel's plea and that his employer AA'as anxious 1 tC' take him back the Bench convicted and fined accused the maximum penalty of £10, which Avas ordered to lie paid forthwith.