THEFT CHARGES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 53, 5 March 1943, Page 5

THEFT CHARGES

OTAKIRI FARMER FINED

MAGISTRATE'S CAUSTIC COMMENT

"This was a very dispicable thing to do," said Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., in the Whakatane Magistrate's Court last Tuesday when referring to theft charges against Gerald George Clarke, a farmer of Otfakiri. "To steal the property of a man who is away fighting helping to keep you on your farm, and I hope this aspect is not forgotten by you.'' The charges related to the theft of live gates and live posts valued at £4 7s from the Awakaponga sale3'ards on May 30 lasti year, and also of one spring dray valued at £20 from a neighbouring farm on the same day. Sergeant, Farrell said that accused had made full restitution since and had repented his action. He had repainted the dray and ultimately had sold it at Cambridge. Mr O'tley for the accused said lie could only plead guilty and ask the Court to take a lenient view .in view of accuscd'is honest regret He had held the chequ.e for the sale of the cart until the police approached him, not having had the heart to cash in on it. Counsel could only point to the heavy financial commitments to which, accused was bound as the temptation which led to his action. "S really ought to send you to gaol," said Mr Walton but in view of the representations you will be fined £10 on the first charge and £5 oil the second pins costs.''