PETROL PIRATE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 912, 4 March 1930, Page 11

PETROL PIRATE

SYPHONED SPIRIT FROM CAR* GAOL TERM IMPOSED ' This is a mean theft,” commented Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., when Ernest Isaac Cyril Wagstaff appeared at the Police Court this morning. "He carried round a tube and a tin and took petrol as he wanted it.” Accused was sentenced to a months imprisonment. Wagstaff, a taxi-driver aged 32, was charged with stealing, on February 24, four gallons of petrol valued at Ts 6d and a tank cap valued at 2s 6d. the properly of Charles V. Clare. The case was opened last week, when the evidence of one witness lor the prosecution was taken. It was then stated that the police had been called to a parking-area on the old dock site following suspicious behaviour by accused, whose taxi was parked there. There had been a strong smell of petrol near Clare’s car. A tin of spirit was found in accused’s car and he. had made a vain endeavour to hide a length of rubber tubing as he was being taken to the police station. The tank cap from Clare’s car had also been found in Wagstaff’s car. Air. Kells Mason appeared for Wagstaff this morning. “I am not going to waste the time of the court,” he said, entering a plea of guilty. “From what I heard from the first witness, that is very wise,” remarked the magistrate. Counsel said petrol had been removed from accused’s car while he was absent at tea. He had returned to the parking area with a friend, who offered to get more spirit for him. Accused had supplied the tin and hose, which were part of a taxidriver’s equipment. “Accused was foolish to attempt to deceive the police but he was sheltering another man,” counsel continued. “He is a married man with two children aged three and six years respectively. His employer is here to speak for him. He will take him back if the man is given a chance. Wagstaff could pay off a fine by weekly instalments.” Sub-Inspector McCarthy pointed out •that the cap from Clare’s car had been found in accused’s car. Wagstaff had been admitted to probation for three years in 1924 but that had not been for theft. Remarking that the offence required a more severe punishment than a fine, the magistrate imposed a term of one month’s imprisonment.