“STUPID, NOT CRIMINAL"

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 542, 20 December 1928, Page 17

“STUPID, NOT CRIMINAL"

NO CONVICTION AGAINST TRAVELLER CHARGED WITH THEFT “He has his own stupid carelessness to thank for his being charged: his methods were unbusinesslike but in no way dishonest.” So Mr. Allan Moody commented on George Alexander Purves, who was charged at the Police Court this morning with stealing a frock valued at 17s Cd from Marshall and Baxter. Mr. Moody entered a plea of not guilty on his client’s behalf and denied three charges of failing to acount for sums of money totalling £ll 12s to Marshall and Baxter. Robert Marshall said that Purves was in charge of the soft goods department of Marshall and Baxter. Witness had discovered certain shortages and asked Purves for an explanation. Mr. Moody said that the frock had been given as a Christmas present from the firm to the daughter of a good customer, but that Purves had forgotten the occurrence. Two of the amounts of money which Purves was said to have appropriated had been paid in through the firm’s retail shop and dockets could be found for the ampunts. The third amount would have been paid in, but Purves was arrested before he could settle the affair. “I have to be quite satisfied that a man is a thief before I convict him,” said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. “There is not sufficient evidence to warrant me branding this man as a thief. All the charges are dismissed.”