THEFTS OF LEATHER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 May 1939, Page 6

THEFTS OF LEATHER

TANNERY EMPLOYEE FINED IN CHRISTCHURCH. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. “I think a substantial fine would hit this man in the right spot," said Mr W. R. Lascelles to the Magistrate, Mr E. C. Levvey, in Court this morning, when defending Sydney Brewer, aged fifty-seven, who was charged with stealing quantities of leather valued at £l9, the property of the Woolston Tanneries. “Under the circumstances, I will regard this case in a different light from the usual,” said the Magistrate. "The accused will be convicted and fined £10.” Detective-Sergeant Sinclair said Brewer had been in the employ of the Woolston Tanneries for nineteen years. Detective Thompson had interviewed Brewer, who had admitted having stolen leather and sold it to a city saddler. Mr Lascelles said Brewer’s overkeenness in his labour sympathies and a desire to help the under-dog had led to the thefts. As a result of these sympathies, he had begun to suspect that his firm might dismiss him, and to provide for himself should they take this action he had stolen leather and sold it. The thefts were not committed with any criminal'intentions. Brewer’s wife was in poor health and he was faced with heavy medical expenditure, besides having lost his position.