Peculiar Stealing Case.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 779, 23 March 1905, Page 2

Peculiar Stealing Case.

At the Police Court on Wcdne-sday, beTore Mr Hutchison, S.M., a youth was charged with the theft of ls'9d from the till of Mr J. Stagpolc's shop. Mr T. S. Weston appeared for the defendant, who admitted the charge, and asked that the Bench treat the youth as a first offender. He explained that the accused, 18 years of age, was the son of u respectable citi7jen in business. The motive for committing the theft was a mystery. The youth was employed ut a 'business establishment from from 7.30 to 10 o'clock each morning, and generally assisted his father during the rest of the day. Ho received 10s a week wages, which he was aMe to save up, as his parents kept him in clothes and hoard. The vouth had always borne a good name, ami had never before shown It was true, as Sergeant Haddiell dishonesty in any shape or form would state, that Mr Stagpolo had missed altogether about £4 or £5 from the till, but there was no evidence to show that the boy had thieved more than the amount stated in tho information—ls 9d. Accused had entered the shop in broad daylight, and seing no one there, had apparently in a moment of aberration given way to temptation, and when taxed with the theft immediately relumed the. money. lie asked the Bench to give the youth the opportunity of redi'eming his character.

Evidence was ttlso given by tho accused's father and his employer, the latter stating that the_youthi had been in his employ for about seven months. The accused was industrious, and of respectful demeanour. He was often left in charge of the shop for nn hour at n time, and showed the utmost integrity and honesty. Serjeant Ifaddroll explained the circumstances of accused's arrest. It was extraordinary that the youth should have acted in this manner.

The Magistrate, after severely cautioning the culprit, recorded a conviction, the accused to come up for sentence if thero was anything further against hiin within a period of three months.