THEFT CHARGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 June 1938, Page 6

THEFT CHARGE

ACCUSED MAN PLACED ON PROBATION RESTITUTION OF SUM STOLEN ORDERED Basil Goodwin Breeze, aged 33, a native of Australia, appeared before Messrs A. D. Low and A. Rippon in the Masterton Police Court this morning on a charge of theft at Carterton on June 17 of a handbag containing £5 10s in money, an engagement ring, a Post Office Savings Bank book, and a leather purse, of a total value of £l6 6s, the property of Emily McDermott. The accused, who elected to be dealt with summarily pleaded guilty. Detective-Sergeant W. Kane stated that at 6 p.m. on June 17, the complainant left her handbag in a hotel in Carterton, and two hours later she found it had gone. At 6.50 p.m. a stranger was seen coming down the stairs of the hotel. Yesterday the accused was located in Masterton,■ and interviewed by Detective Hay admitted going to the room and taking the handbag and its contents. He gave the excuse that he was drinking at the time. The handbag and all the contents except the money had been recovered. Accused said he had work to go to. He had not been in trouble in recent years. The accused was convicted and admitted to probation for a period of six months, conditions being that he took out a prohibition order, and made restitution of the amount stolen.