Theft At Bottom Of Recent Bread Hold-Up

Chronicle (Levin), 23 November 1949, Page 5

Theft At Bottom Of Recent Bread Hold-Up

AUCKLAND, Nov. 22. , . The proseeution of a man whose dismissal led to the reeent stoppage of work at a bakery was upheld by the Magistrate (Mr. MeCarthy) today. He eonvicted Reginald Viviaa O'Donn/11, aged 39, a baker, on a eharge of stealing 131b of margarine and 181b of sugar from Walter Buehanan, Ltd., on November 15 and fined him £5 with costs. It was stated in evidenee that big quantities of sugar and margarine had disappeared from the bakehouse during the last few months. In one week 12 701b bags of sugar and between two and three cwt of margarine were unaec.ounted for. The evidenc.e for the defence sliowed that over the years it had been customary for employees to take sugar and margarine. The foreman allowed the men to take small qnaptities when they asked for it. One witness said he wrapped two 12-pound bags of sugar for the hrm's managing-director during the rationing period. Mr. W. W. Meek, counspJ for the defence, submitted that O'Donnell may have exceeded his quota, but he eon* sidered he was not guilty of theft. Detective Finlay said that O'Donnell took the goods in question in one of the firm's vans which he used to travel to and from work. He was followed and when arrested admitted that he bad taken it. without authority. Charles Ilenry Thomas, the^firm 's •nanager, cross examined by Mr. Meek, mid it was not the eustom of the firrn to let employees take quantities of stu k home each week. The foreman might use discretion in lettiug an employee have small quantities, but not the amounts that had been taken. Witness did not know anything about an employee parcelling' up sugar for one of the heads of the lirip. O'Donnell stated in evidenee that on one or two oceasions he had been given authority to take margarine. He thought he had authority to take the sugar and margariiie he was charged with stealing. Giving his decision, the Magistrate said there was not sufficient evidenee of custom to make O'Donnell entitled to "take the amount he took. Tt was a case in which he had succumbed to temptation.