STOLE A TILL

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 956, 26 April 1930, Page 1

STOLE A TILL

HUNGRY MAN'S THREAT OF SUICIDE IN DESPERATE POSITION Caught carrying away a till from a baker’s shop on Thursday evening, Reginald Kennedy pleaded he had stolen for food, and produced a razor from his pocket, saying, “This is what 1 was going to use on myself tonight.” This story was related to Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., at the Police Court today when Kennedy, a tailor’s presser, aged 24, admitted stealing a till containing £1 ISs 7d, the property of Hugh Brackenridge. Accused was remanded until May 2, Captain Holmes undertaking to keep him in the Salvation Army Home at Epsom during that time. According to Sub-Inspector Shanahan, Mr. Brackenridge, who was a baker, from the back of the premises saw accused enter the shop and leave, apparently carrying something under his arm. Following the visitor, the baker stopped accused, who had his hat over the till, pressed close to his side. Accused said he was hard up and had stolen for something to eat. Nothing was known against accused, added the police officer. "I was out of work and hungry, as I had not eaten anything for two days,” accused said, “and I went into the shop with the intention of asking for something to eat. I was tempted and I fell, but I’m sorry. The constable would know I was hungry,” he added. Kennedy further declared he had been practically all over the North Island during the three and ahalf years he had been in New Zealand, working on and off at various jobs. “I had money when I came to Auckland, but in looking for work I went broke. I was desperate on Thursday night, when I hadn’t had anything to eat.”