THEFTS IN GREYMOUTH BY MEMBERS OF SHIP’S CREW

Grey River Argus, 8 September 1948, Page 2

THEFTS IN GREYMOUTH BY MEMBERS OF SHIP’S CREW

Substantial Fine For a Seaman Sequel to the theft of .five womens coats from an island window at rne premises of C. Smith Ltd., Mawhera Quay at the week-end, was the ap pearance of a seaman , Holmlea before Mr A. A. McLachlan S.M., in the Greymouth Police Court ye He r was’Albert John Jones, 28, seaman, of England, who pleaded S ull y to a charge of steaiing the coats valued at £45, the property of C. Smith Ltd Jones was convicted and nnea £l5 and ordered to pay £2O damages to C. Smith Ltd. A month was allowed in which to pay. 1 Defective Sergeant N. Thompson said that between 8 p.m. on Sunday and 8 a.m. on Monday, an Islana window at C. Smith Ltd s. premises was broken, and the five coats were taken. Practically the whole police force was engaged on the enquiries. On Monday afternoon the coats were recovered from the crew s quaiteis on the -Holmlea. Later Jones was interviewed and admitted the theit. Detective Sergeant Thompson stressed the seriousness of s .uch oifences-, especially when committed by members of the crews of visiting ships. The damage to the window was £l7 10s and to the locks on the iron gates £l, and the coats had been soiled and damaged to the extent of £lO, he said. Jones( he added had only on e previous conviction that was for desertion in 1947. He said that the crew of the Hojmlea had given every assistance in clearing up th Mr l McLachlan: That is gratifying, but suspicions must have been cast on other members of the crew. , Mr W. D. Taylor, for Jones, said that his client was a married man. and he had no clear recollection ot the theft as he had been under the influence of liouor. He said that Jones was a first offender, a Part from the charge of desertion. His ship-mates were prepared to assist in the matter of a fine and restitution. Mr Taylor said that the ship was readv to sail, and would be held, up for some days if Jones were imPl Mr n McLachlan said that he would consider Jones as being a first offender, and as his mates were prepares to assist him, he would inflict a line, but the innocent victim had also to be considered. The Magistrate complimented the police upon the expeditious manner in which they had conducted the inquiries, made the arrest, arid recovered the stolen property.

SHIP’S FIREMAN FINED FOR THEFT OF NECKLET

During the absence of the attendant from the shop of H. and J. Lamont, jewellers, Mackay Street, _ on Monday, a man entered the premises and took an imitation pearl necklet. He returned later, and attempted to take a second necklet, but was arrested. He was Robert George Martin, 25, ship’s fireman, of England. He pleaded guilty before Mr A. A. McLachlan S.M., in Greymouth Police Court yesterday to the theft of the necklet valued at £6 10, and to a charge of attempting to steal an imitation necklet valued at £2 10s, the property of H. and J. Lamont. He was fined £lO on the first charge, and £5 on the second ,and allowed a month in which, to pay. Detective Sergeant N. Thompson said that about 4 p.m. on Monday, Martin, who was a fireman on the s.s. Holmlea, went to Laments’ shop. He rang the bell, and when the shop attendant did not appear, he took a three-tier imitation necklet and left the shop. Martin returned ten minutes later, and was apprehended when attempting to take another necklet. He added that Martin was under the influence of liquor, and did not remember much about it. He had no previous convictions. Mr W. D. Taylor, for Martin, said his client was married. On the day in question he had gone to the shop to buy a brooch for his wife. When the attendant did not answer his ring he took the necklet. It w r as not a premeditated theft, said Mr Taylor, This was shown bv the fact that he had rung the bell for attention. Mr Taylor added that Martin’s position was still available and the ship was ready 1 to sail. His mates, as in a previous case, were willing to help him out in the payment of any fine. Martin, was also willing to take out a prohibition order. Tne Magistrate, in imposing the fines, said he would not order Martin to take out a prohibition order, but advised him to do so for his own sake.