BENZINE THEFTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 71, 8 May 1945, Page 5

BENZINE THEFTS

fWO YOUNG MEN INVOLVED HEAVY FINES INFLICTED Before Messrs G. A. Brabant and C. H. Christensen, in the Whakatane Police Court last Friday a two young men Richard Thomas Savage ('22) and Alfred Maurice Finucane (18) were charged with the theft of three separate amounts of benzine over varying dates. Finucane "pleaded guilty to the theft ol' a 10 gallon drum at Matata and also to a further theft of 2 gallons the property of N. freeman. Savage pleaded guilty to the lesser charge only. Sergeant Farrcll said that apparently both accused were going lishing on March 10th last and called at a place where they notieed the benzine, and as no one was home they removed it. The drum was thrown in the river. Finucane later also stole the second quantity. The question of punishing the offender by inflicting a term of imprisonment was debated by the Bench who finally decided in view of tlie accused's youth to inflict fines only in each instance and to order restitution. "This is a very serious offence." observed the senior 3 Justice. "It has been our habit of making an example of offenders in the past but in view of all the circumstances we deem it best not to send you to prison." Finucane was- lined £10 and Savage £">.