SHIPS’ OFFICERS JAILED FOR THEFT OF BRANDY

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1948, Page 7

SHIPS’ OFFICERS JAILED FOR THEFT OF BRANDY

WELLINGTON, June 3. A senior offlcei’ on the ship Millhill, Peter McAlister, the ship’s carpenter, Sydney Lewis, and the ship’s radio officer, Robert Cockrane, were each charged in the Magistrate’s Court to-day with the theft of bottles of brandy, part of the cargo that the Millhill was discharging at Wellington. Cochrane pleaded guilty to two charges involving the theft of a dozen bottle of brandy, valued at £9, and three bottle of cherry brandy, valued at £2 ss. He was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. The two other' accused —McAlistei’ admitted the theft of one bottle and Lewis that of three bottles—-were each sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment. , “This is a sorry business,” said Mr H. J. Thompson, S.M., imposing the sentences. “It seems a pity that the career of a responsible ship’s officei’ should be interfered with just because of a bqttle of brandy. The ordinary watersider has to take the penalty' when he takes even a pound of butter. These men will have to be punished.” In lhe event of the ship sailing before the expiration of the sentences, the Magistrate ordered that the men should be placed aboard their ship.