ALLEGED THEFT.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 694, 20 December 1921, Page 5

ALLEGED THEFT.

SIX CHARGES AGAINST YOUTH. PLACED ON STRICT PROBATION. At the Magistrate’s Court last week, before Mr E. Wj. Burton, S.M., a youth, aged years appeared on remand to answer six charges of alleged theft as follows (1) that on December 2nd, 1921, at Paerata, he did steal £7-, the property of Albert Jolly; (2) that on November 22nd, at Pukekohe, he did. steal 2s 6d, a 9ct. gold ring, vaalued at i:3, theproperty of Mick Brajkovish; (:!) that on November 22nd, at Pukekohe he did steal 13s 6d, the property of Ivan Soljak; (4) that on 24th November, at Puni, he did steal £3. the property of L. Rogers; (5) that on November 30th, at Pukekohe he did steal £l, a necktie, valued at 6s, and a safety razor valued at 255, the property of John Garmaz; (6) that on November 30th he did steal £5. 16s 9d„ the property of Geo. Milos.

Accused, who was represented by Mr C. O. Mahony, pleaded guilty to all charges,, and elected to be dealt with summarily. Constable D. Millar said that as a result of a complaint received he arrested accused on December sth,

Sergt- Cowan said that accused’s parents were very decent people, and it was hard to understand why the boy should be going in such a direction. He had been heading to this for the past two years. Mr Mahony said the boy had fallen into the hands of billiard saloons, ancK th<? introduction to the billiard saloon was the forerunner to him playing cards. In spite of efforts to keep him away from one particular billiard room, he had got back, being almost invited to return. The licensee had failed in his duty to keep the boy away.. He got into the gambling way. \ The £7 had been used 'n liquidation of pool and poker debts. He was 17% years of age. This gambling ,was a “cancer”' that shouldi be cut out of this community. One of the local police constables had been doing his very best to assist the boy. He had got the “fever” into his blood. The parents were good, sensible and honest people, who had resided in I'ukekohe almost,all their lives. The accused was born and brought up here. He had four sisters, anad the family were well behaved, properly -housed, and properly catered for in every way—one could not wish for better. He nskt-d that accused be given proper, probationary instruction, that he be got as far awdy as possible from all billiard saloons and towns . Restitution of the stolen money would be made, and the stolen goods would be returned.

Sergt. Cowan suggested that if probation was so ordered, the accused should make the restitution otherwise he would n t fed the punishment. He suggested that the money be paid into the Clerk of the Court,

The accused was found guilty on his own confession of the severe l charges preferred against him. lie was released on probation, such probation to continue until he attained the age of 21 years, j The probationary license to contain the several conditions in section 10, sub-section I. of the Offenders Probatiot Act, 1920. Accused is not to enter a billiard saloon, nor a racecourse, a hotel, nor is he to enter any place of amusement unless he is accompanied by some responsible person to be approved of fay the Probation Officer,, and to make restitution of the money and articles stolen. The money is to be paid to the Clerk of the Court.

The Magistrate ordered that the name of the accused be not published in the press.