SERIES OF THEFTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 50, 23 November 1926, Page 5

SERIES OF THEFTS

GOODS AND JEWELLERY TAKEN FROM HOUSES

UNANNOUNCED VISITOR

Dominion Special. Auckland, November 22. William Thomas, aged 35, pleaded guilty in the Magistrate's Court to three charges of stealing jewellery and goods of a total value of £6l 2s. from three dwellings, and to breaking and entering another dwelling and stealing a purse, ss. in money, a gold sovereign case, wristlet watch, and some coins, worth a total of £5.

The proprietress of an apartment bouse in Alten Road stated that she heard a noise upstairs, and on going to the hall she was surprised to find a man, resembling accused, coining downstairs. When she asked him what he was doing on the premises he replied that he was looking for a “Mr. MacPhersou.” Detective Moon, who had interview, ed Thomas, produced a statement which accused had signed. In tins be said that he recently arrived ’n Auckland from England by the Hororata as assistant cook. When paid off in Auckland he received £5. Afterwards he was employed as a canvasser. He had no fixed place of abode. He admitted going to four houses and stealing goods and jewellery, some of which he pawned with second-hand dealers. At the time of the thefts, he said, he was muddled with drink, and he did not know exactly what he stole. He had fallen through the ceiling in one house. Thomas was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence on all four charges.