Student Trapped in Pilfering Incident

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 803, 25 October 1929, Page 1

Student Trapped in Pilfering Incident

CHARGE OF THEFT PUNISHED BY PUBLICITY

"He has not made the offence worse by trying ,to tell me a tale from the witness box and I think the disgrace is sufficient punishment,” said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., discharging without conviction a young university student who was charged at tiie Police Court this morning with theft. Henry Stewart Moore Roulston, an engineer, aged 28, who had been arrested at Arapuni, was charged with the theft of a tramway concession card valued at 3s and belonging to John Nigel Wilson, on October 4. Mr. Moody appeared for accused and said that he would admit the facts. According to Chief-Detective Hammond, there had been numerous thefts from the cloakroom outside the common room at the university during the weeks prior to October. Mr. Wilson, the secretary of a students’ body that was interested, had complained to the police and, acting on advice, had prepared a trap. He had bought three concession cards, noting the numbers. These he had placed in three wallets in three different coats. On Thursday, October 3, they were all there. The, following day one was missing. “One ticket was traced to a young lady at Herne Bay,” added the chiefdetective. “She has a shop in town and said that she knew accused. He had sold her a tram ticket on the Friday, saying that he was going to Arapuni and had no further use for it. To a detective at Arapuni accused first stated that he had bought the ticket.” Mr. Moody stressed accused’s previous good record. He was a man holding two degrees and was personally known to quite a few members of the police force. To show that Roulston had not a criminal instinct counsel referred to some pearls which he had immediately handed in to the police after finding them in Grafton Road. “That is . so,” agreed the chiefdetective. Mr. Moody accounted for accused’s behaviour by the fact that he had overindulged in liquor on Thursday, in anticipation of his departure for Arapuni. He had himself had money stolen at the college, and had also complained to Mr. Wilson. Since he had been at Arapuni other articles had been stolen, including a second tram ticket. He had voluntarily gone to the police station to attend an identification parade held in connection with the theft of the second tram ticket. He had had nothing to do with that affair. The ticket taken by accused had been left with the edge showing and he had removed it probably merely through the vindictiveness of human nature. “He told the police at Arapuni a bit of a taie,” added counsel. “He was probably ashamed of the offence. If he is convicted his career is blasted. He is 28 years of age and a good position is open to him. Mr. J. A. C. Allum, who emjHoyed Roulston while he was studying, is here in court prepared to speak for him.” Counsel asked that no conviction be recorded. Chief-Detective Hammond: There has been a series of these offences, and it is wearisome work hiding in a cupboard watching for students. Me Moody (regarding the chief detective’s six feet): It would be for you, Mr. Hammond. The accused was discharged without conviction under section 18 of the First Offenders Probation Act. “A conviction would prevent him from ever obtaining a public appointment,” commented the magistrate.