BUTTER FACTORY THEFTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 September 1921, Page 7

BUTTER FACTORY THEFTS.

manager goes to gaol. Hamilton, Thursday. Found guilty of stealing over 30001 b of butter from the Waihou factory, Lionel Goodwin, formerly head butter-maker at the factory, was brought before Mr. Justice Stringer for sentence to-day. Mr. Northcroft pointed out that the prisoner had borne an excellent character in his work, and had an unblemished career at the front. Counsel suggested the probability of prisoner having b?en tempted by the receiver, and said it had been shown that prisoner had tired of the whole business, and had arranged to go to another job, when he was arrested. The Judge said it was always painful for him to sentence a man with an excellent character, but the accused had systematically abused his position of trust. In the interests of the public a substantial penalty would have to be imposed. Prisoner would be sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment. In respect to Robert Stewart, found guilty of receiving the butter, Mr. Finlay asked for probation, pointing out that prisoner had two young children, and, owing to losses on his pig farm, was practically a ruined man. His previous employer was prepared to take him back. Restitution could be made.

The Judge said he could not conside: probation, and could not see much differ ence between him and Goodwin, as th< frauds could not have been carried 01 without the receiver. There were iu good grounds for discrimination betweer the two, and prisoner would be senten ced to 12 months’ imprisonment.