THEFT OF SUGAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1920, Page 4

THEFT OF SUGAR.

'■COMBINE TO COMMIT CRIME.'

IVOBKERS SENT TO GAOL.

[ By Telegraph.—yte«»*As«ti.— Copyright. Auckland, Last Night. During the hearing of prosecutions ia' the . .Magistrate's Court to-day in connection with thefts of sugar, thi manager of the works at Chelsea stated that the shortages of sugar for three months were estimated, at one hundred tons. The theft of about three tons of sugar in the course of transport from the Chelsea works to various places in, the city was admitted by Francis G. Torlictt (41), Charles Lilliwall (34), and Edward F. Bowden (36). Detective-Sergeant Hammond stated that Torbett was a lighterman in charge of a lighter on which sugar was brought from Chelsea to the Albert wharf, where, it was delivered to v the New Zealand Express Company, which had a contract for the delivery of sugar. Lilliwall was foreman for the Express Company, and Bowden wajs a carter for that company} Torbett was in a position to get sugar short tallied into the lighter, and Whafl was over when he tallied the lot wa< delivered and signed for at the wharf on the city side. He arranged with* Lilliwall to take and have Borden de« liver it wherever they could place it« The three men shared in "what money, they obtained for the sugar. Charles John Anderson (29), a'carter, admitted having received a ton of sugar from Bowden, knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained, and Valentine Townsend (;)2), another carter, admited having received a bag of stolen sugar, Lilliwall, Torbett, and Bowden were represented by Mr. Moody, who nuulc a plea for the accused. Counsel pointed out that if the Magistrate deemed i| necessary to send the men to prison a short sentence would be as severe punishment to a married man with a good character as a long one, and it would not press so heavily on the families. Torbett, counsel ndrtwl, got extra punishment by losing £4O superannuation monev.

His Worship stated that there was a combine to commit crime and a breach of tjpt. He did not think a long sentence was necessary with men of this kind, but, imprisonment, must be imposed. Lilliwall would he sentenced to two months' hard labor, Torbett to a month'* hard labor, and Bowden would be fined £lO.

When Anderson came up for sentence, Detective-Sergeant Hammond said that Bowden hail twice arranged with tlim man t.n take half ~. ton, and he, had' disposed of it to various people. The hnlf-ton was got off Bowden's lorry. Mr. McLiver said Anderson took the half ton and paid £-0 for it and sold it m hags to various people. One bag h e sold to another carter, Townsend, foi 'iOs. Accused was fined £2O. Townsend. who had received one bag of sugar from Anderson and paid 20» fir it. was fined- £lO.