THEFTS ADMITTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 October 1940, Page 9

THEFTS ADMITTED

MANY HOUSES RANSACKED. CARPENTER COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 14. The breaking and entering of 46 houses in Christchurch suburbs, particularly in Fendalton and Papanui. was admitted by Albert Francis Woodham, carpenter, aged 40, in the Magistrates' Court, before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M. Goods were stolen from all but four of the houses. Woodham also pleaded guilty to six other charges of theft. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Detective-Sergeant J. McClung,-who conducted the prosecution, said that the houses entered had been ransacked and the total value of the goods taken was some hundreds of pounds. Goods stolen and displayed in court included sums of money, clocks, cutglass vases, a standard lamp, a bottle of scent, a camera, tablecloths and other household linen, lampshades hair brushes, a radio set, carpet runners, an electric torch, a toaster, playing cards, oddments of clothing, a bridge table, cushions* suitcases, a salt box, builders’ and carpenters’ tools, a cake of chocolate, a money box, a tin containing 31s in pennies, and a prayer book.

In statements read by Detective G. W. Alty and Acting-Detective B. H. Constable, accused described how he entered the various houses. His selection had been influenced in some cases by finding that there was no light in the house in the evening. Entry was gained to some through sun porches, to others by removing leadlighted glass panes in the doors and through windows, and to others with skeleton keys.