"MEAN OFFENCE"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 120, 23 May 1941, Page 9

"MEAN OFFENCE"

YOUNG MAN'S THEFTS

MAGISTRATE'S COMMENT

"According to our practice ana custom in a civilised country, people are forced to put their milk bottles and tokens out. and it is one of those things that indicate the moral state or outlook of the population that this can be done without the bottles and tokens being interfered with by marauders,'1 said Mr. J, H. Luxford, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today, when a youth of 18, whose name was suppressed, pleaded guilty to six charges of theft of milk and cream bottles, tokens, and small sums of money.

"This young man," said the Magistrate, "has set himself out, because it is easy stealing, lo take the bottles and tokens and money where money was available. It is a class of offence which, when it comes before the Court, Las got to be dealt with seriously."

The accused was remanded in custody until Monday, when sentence will be imposed.

Sub-Inspector L. Capp said that the offences were committed on some occasions between 9 and 11 p.m. and on others in the early morning.

Counsel, Mr. li. McCormick, said he was satisfied the cause of the thefts was that the youth had been out of work since January last, and in spite of repeated attempts had failed to secure employment.

The Magistrate: Any physical disabilities?

Counsel said that the accused was physically fit, but his training had not fitted him for the type of which he would like most to undertake. He had been trained for clerical work, which did not suit him. Full restitution had been made, said counsel.

"I can't help observing," said the Magistrate, "that it does not seem to ring true that this young man of 13, with no physical disability, has had no opportunities of being employed. Maybe he wants a particular class of job, and if he can't get it he won't take any other work and has resorted to this particularly mean type of thieving."