THEFT OF PETROL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 17, 17 October 1944, Page 5

THEFT OF PETROL

THIRTY GALLONS INVOLVED

ONE MONTH'S IMPRISONMENT'

"The thkft of any rationed! particularly benis regarded in a yery serious light } and must be treated accordingly said the Bench in. sentencing Roland/Stewart Webb # a former bus driver on the Matata run to* one ninth's imprisonment for theft of petrol j in the Whakatane Court yesterday. Messrs J. G. Mulhollandi and C. H. Chridtensen J.P.s> were on the bench.

Accused was charged with the theft between Ist May and Ist -November last year of 20 gallons of

petrol valued at £3 from George Riddell, the t'lien proprietof of the? Matata Services. A further charge involving the theft of another ten gallons valued at 30/,- from Rugby Howell was also preferred. Webb pleaded guilty on both counts.

Sergeant Farrell, for the police stated that at the time the major theft occurred Webb was emplo3 r etT by Mr Riddell as a bus driver. Later r the run had changed and had been taken oyer by Rugby Howell. Accused had at that time been endeavouring to acquire it for himself and it was felt that some coolness between driver and proprietor had existed. Webb had been

perfectly straightforward about the whole affair and the police now had possession of the benzine.

Accused was convicted, and. sentenced to one month's imprisonment on the first count and convicted and discharged on the second- Order Avas ma'de for the return of, the

petrol.