THEFT OF PETROL

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 21, 26 January 1938, Page 13

THEFT OF PETROL

YOUTHS GET PROBATION

. Pleading guilty to charges involving the theft of petrol, two youths, aged 18 and 17, were admitted to periods of probation by Mr. J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today. 'William Simmons, a presser, aged- 18, was charged with the theft, on January 18, of 2 gallons of petrol, valued at 4s, the property of McGowan and Magee, Ltd. Vernon Arthur Collins, a hat manufacturer, aged 17, was similarly charged, and both were charged jointly with the theft, on or about September 18, and on various dates between September 18 and December 18, of 8 gallons of petrol, valued at 16s, the property of McGowan and Magee. Simmons was admitted to probation for two years, and Collins for eighteen months, a condition being made that restitution should be made.

About 9 p.m. on January 18, said Detective-Sergeant P. Doyle, who prosecuted, Constable Alty was passing the premises of McGowan and Magee in Waterloo Quay, when he heard noises inside. He climbed over a wall to investigate, and as he did so Simmons bolted, the constable arresting him after a chase. On returning to the yard the constable discovered a tin of two gallons of benzine which had been siphoned out of trucks in the yard. Simmons admitted to detectives that he had procured eight gallons of petrol on previous occasions. The other youth. Collins, had been associated with him, and while Constable Alty was chasing Simmons, he escaped through another exit. They had not previously been before the Court on any charges of dishonesty.