STOLE WHILE OUT OF WORK

Shannon News, 27 July 1926, Page 4

STOLE WHILE OUT OF WORK

YOUNG MAN GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE. BENCH REFUSES TO SUPRESS NAME. Charged with the theft, at Palmerston North, on or about June 21, of on e Pair of pyjama trousers and one shirt and collar, of a total value of £1 10s, the property of Mrs Rowe, of Featherston street, and also the theft, at Palmerston North, on or about June 24, of seven shirts, valued at £4 10s, the property of Mrs Bartlett, a young man, William Frederick Brown, pleaded guilty before Messrs A. J. Graham and Gt. H. Espiner, J.’sP., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

Senior-Detective Quirke said that, while the theft was rather a mean one —the articles had been taken from a clothes-line—accused, who cam e of respectable people, and who was 25 years old, hail not tried to dispose of the goods, but had worn them himself. When interviewed by the police, he had made a clean breast of the whole affair. Nothing else was known against him, and all the property had been recovered.

In answer to a question from the Bench, Brown said he was a drover by occupation, and had taken the clothes because he was out of work and badly needed them. Money for work done was owing 4o him, and had h e been able to get this he would not have thought of committing the thefts. The Bench told accused he would bo given a chance to go straight, ordered him to come up for sentence when called upon within 12 months.

Accused then asked that his name be suppressed. His mother, he saia. was ill, and he would not like her to hoar of the trouble he was in. Mr Graham: I don’t think justices have any power to make an ordei. In any case, this is not an occasion for suppression.' You have c&mmitted a ’ wrong deed, and you must have some punishment. _ The Court has been very lenient in not sending you to gaol. An order for the return of the stolen goods to the owners was made.