CHARGES OF THEFT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1917, Page 1

CHARGES OF THEFT

CHARGES OK THEFT. At the Magistrate’s Court Greymouth yesterday morning. before Alessr W. R. Kettle and J . Steer j.P.'s a young man named Edward Neil Whitten was charged (1) that at Auckland on March 29th. last lie. did steal one watch and chain and one hat valued at L'2, the property of William Alexander Wrack; (2) that on September 10th. at Maori Gully, he did break and enter the dwelling of Daniel O’Brien and steal therefrom the sum of 12s; and (3) at To Kuiti, on or about May 14th last, he ddi steal one pair of trousers valued at 30s, the property of the Te Kuiti Municipal Band. Accused pleaded guilty to the second charge and was committed for sentence at the Supreme Court , Christchurch . Accused also pleaded guilty to the charges of theft at Auckland and To Kuiti. Sorgt-Deteetivc Ward said the Reach could deal summarily with the] accused on I:he North Island charges. The accused, who was 24 years of ago, had a. had record and had been repeatedly convicted of theft, in all, ten charges of theft and breaking and entering. He had been admitted to Burnham Industrial School, but absconded several times, in each instance committing thefts. On the last occasion he was sentenced to two months on two charges at Hiknrangi. A month after his release he had committed the theft of the watch and chain at Auckland.

The Bench said the accused appeared to he a hopeless ease. It was difficult to know what was to be done with such a confirmed thief. On the North Island charges he would he sentenced to three months at Lyttelton Gaol, the services to ho cumulative.