SERIES OF CHARGES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 127, 25 November 1938, Page 15

SERIES OF CHARGES

SEVEN YOUTHS

CAR CONVERSION AND THEFT

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, November 24,

Theft and unlawful conversion of ten motor-cars and two motor-cycles of a total' value of £1118, in addition to theft of parts and other property from various vehicles worth £60 18s 6d, were referred to in 28 charges preferred against seven youths who appeared before Mr. Orr-Walker, S.M., in the Magistate's Court. All the accused pleaded guilty to all counts and were committed for sentence.

The accused were Thomas Arnold Massy Sansom, grocer, aged 22, who was named in 22 charges; Garth Vincent Hughes, truck driver, aged 17, 18 charges; Allan Francis Regan, car painter, aged 18, 17 charges; Daniel Pitcathley Calder, electrician, aged 18, three charges; James John Robertson, bakers' apprentice, aged 17, two charges; Albert Edward Butler, motor trimmer, aged 19, two charges; Allan Rongo Ross, salesman, aged 19, one charge.

All but four of the charges were jointly preferred, there being three separate charges against Hughes and one against Regan.

The evidence showed that most of the offences occurred at night or in the early morning hours, and the vehicles were t?ken from garages as well as from their parking positions in the street. Some were driven long distances and not located for many days. In eleven cases vehicles were found stripped of parts and accessories such as radio, battery, gear box, carburettor, vacuum tank, manifold oil pump, tools, tyres, and spare wheels. Clothing and a travelling rug were stolen from two of the cars.

Statements made by the various accused showed that in one case a motorcycle was stolen >and dismantled, after which the frame and engine were placed on the running board of a car and taken to Ponsonby Wharf, where they were thrown into the harbour. Hearing of their being found by tlie police, the accused concerned bundled the rest of the cycle parts into a car and carried them to the Orakei bridge where they were dumped into the water.

Refusing to make an order for the non-publication of the names of the accused, the Magistrate said it was not a case where he would make an order even if he had power to do so. Th« Statute, however, gave him no power in this case.