CHARGES OF THEFT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4919, 23 December 1925, Page 2

CHARGES OF THEFT.

TURUA AND PATETONGA CASES.

SENTENCES AT THAMES COURT.

At the Magistrate's Court, Thames, on Mnoday, before Mr J. H. Salmon, S.M., William Bramwell Willetts was charged with the theft of £8 fiom Leslie William Bowden at Turua. Accused pleaded guilty,'and elected to be dealt with summarily.

Outlining the case, Constable Reilly stated that accused borrowed a sum of money from Bowden, and later went to his room and stole' the £8 from Bowden’s coat- Interviewed by Constable Devereaux accused had admitted the offence. His record Was not a good one, and drink appeared to be the trouble.

In reply to the Bench accused said that he had been drinking and did not remember taking the money. His Worship read a lengthy list of pi’evious convictions and said that it would be impossible to grant further probation. He would be convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in Auckland Gaol. PATETONGA STORE ROBBERY. Albert Prince aged 19 years, was charged with, at Patetonga on December 6, stealing the sum of £22, the property of N. K. Evans. Accused pleaded guilty, and elected to be dealt with summarily. Constable Reilly said that accused had visited Evans’ store at Patetonga and had accepted a ride back to Kaihere, where he worked, with the owner of the store. On his return Evans found that the money had been taken from the till. Accused had admitted the theft, and £l5 10s 9d had been recovered. Accused had been previously convicted, but he was only 19 years old and was contributing towards the support of his .widowed mother. Accused expressed sorrow - at his action, and asked for a chance to try and -make good.

Prince was convicted and admitted to two years’ probation.' The amount of £6 was to be refunded in such manner t as the Probation Officer might direct, and an order was made for the refund to the owner of the sum found in his possession by the police.