THEFT BY FIREWATCHER

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 21, 20 October 1942, Page 2

THEFT BY FIREWATCHER

Goods Taken From Storeroom When John Gillan, of 27 Eccleston •Hill, Wellington, appeared before Mr. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrates’ Court yesterday, charged first, with breaking and entering the premises of Modern Plastics (N.Z.) Ltd. and stealing plastic ware valued at £2, and second, with the theft of plastic ware valued at £2, the property of Modern Plastics (N.Z.) Ltd., Mr. J. J. McGrath, for accused, said that the police were prepared to withdraw the indictable (first) .charge and that under those circumstances accused would plead guilty to the second charge. Senior Sergeant Campagnolo, for the police, agreed that the first charge should be withdrawn. He said that on the night of October 10 a Mr. Harrison, svho was connected svith Plastics Ltd., noticed a light in the storeroom when passing the building and saw someone moving about, lie waited, and accused came out. He stopped him and asked him what he was doing. Accused told him he >vas on firewatching duty and was going to his home for n meal, leaving another fire-watcher in the building meanwhile. Accused was then carrying a suitcase. Mr. Harrison insisted on accused accompanying him back to the building. The police were informed and after a search the suitcase was found behind a concrete wall in Adelaide Road and contained the articles which were the subject of the charge. Accused had no right to be in the storeroom from which the articles had been tU Mr McGrath said that ho had failed to find any explanation for the offence. Accused had an exemplary record, except for a charge 10 years ago of intoxication in charge of a motor-cur. There was no breach of trust involved in the ease. He suggested the Court might see fit to deal with the case ns a first offence under the Justices of Peace Act. section 253. Mr. Stout: I tvon’t. do that, but: wall convict and order him to come up for sentence if called upon within six months. Mr. McGrath: I don’t know whether your Worship lias power to suppress the UII Mr’ Stout: I wouldn't suppress the mime.