YOUTHS CHARGED WITH THEFT

Southland Times, Issue 24233, 17 September 1940, Page 7

YOUTHS CHARGED WITH THEFT

OUTCOME OF ROBBERY AT EAST GORE BROTHERS APPEAR IN COURT Two brothers, Edward Blake Hellier, aged 25, and Ronald Percival Hellier, aged 18, appeared in the Gore Magistrate’s Court yesterday as the outcome of a recent robbery at the school and schoolhouse, East Gore. Edward Blake Hellier was charged with stealing 17/and with receiving fronVßonald Percival Hellier 5/6 knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained. Ronald Percival Hellier was charged with breaking and entering with intent to commit theft, the charge being amended to-one of theft of £5/5/6. Both the accused were represented by Mr D. A. Bell, who entered pleas of guilty. Sergeant D. W. Black, who prosecuted, said that while the head master of the East Gore school (Mr J. H. Park) was on holiday from August 17 till August 29 his house and the school were broken into. The discovery that the school had been broken into was made on August 22 by the caretaker, who found that a number of foreign coins had been removed. When Mr Park returned on August 29 he found that his house had been broken into and £4 in money had been removed together with other articles valued at £4. Mr Park also. discovered that £2/12/6 in silver had been taken from his office at the school with other articles. Entrance had been gained to both buildings by the breaking of windows. Ronald Percival Hellier was only 18 years of age and had not been in work for some time. He appeared to be the type of youth who did not like work and it was hard to know what to say in his favour. It was evident from the companions he kept and from his mode of living that he would be lucky if he kept out of Court in future.

Mr Bell said that Edward Blake Hellier was out of work and was waiting to be called up for military service, having been passed as fit. He had been unable to obtain a job and had taken 17/- stolen by his brother. He had also asked his brother for money and had received 5/6 knowing that it had been dishonestly obtained. Mr Bell asked for lenience in view of the fact that the accused was waiting to go into camp. Mr Bell suggested that Ronald Percival Hellier be put under some form of restraint. He did not think there was any vice in the boy and if given the opportunity counsel was sure that he would not appear before the Court again. “You two have caused a lot of trouble,” said the Magistrate in addressing the two accused, “and the Court has been at some pains to try to see that justice is done and that you are suitably punished. I am going to give you both a chance so make the best of it and do not come back here again.” Edward Blake Hellier was ordered to come up for sentence' within one year if called upon and was ordered to make restitution of the 5/6 and 17/- within one month. Ronald Percival Hellier was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence within two years if called upon. He was ordered to make restitution of £4/10/6 as and when ordered by the probation officer.