SERVICE-CAR DRIVER ADMITS TWO THEFTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 441, 24 August 1928, Page 13

SERVICE-CAR DRIVER ADMITS TWO THEFTS

"HARD-UP" explanation PLACED ON PROBATION “He stole because of his impeeuniosity,” said Mr. Brodie, referring *° Thomas H. Greenwood, aged 27, who pleaded guilty at the police Court this morning to two charges of theft, one of false pretences and one of failing to account for money. Chief -Detectiv'e Hammond said that Greenwood had been a service-car driver. The first charge was one of failing to account for £7 7s Od which was given him to pay into The Sun Newspapers, Limited. He had obtained £2 from a storekeeper at Pokeno by saying that his car was out of order and that he might have to take a taxi to finish the trip. On one occasion a passenger had given him a £5 note in mistake for a £1 note and he had appropriated the £ 4 change. The other theft charge involved a small sum only. “Greenwood is at present employed by a firm of motor engineers in Wanganui,” said Mr. Hammond. Counsel asked Air. W. R. McKean, S.M., not to send prisoner to gaol. It w as his first offence and if deprived of his support the man’s wife would b© destitute. Mrs. Greenwood had cabled to her husband’s parents in England, and it was expected that full restitution of the £l4 involved would be made shortly. There were no previous convictions against Greenwood. A term of 12 months* probation was imposed, two conditions being that restitution bo made and that Greenwood take out, a prohibition order.