THEFT OF BOOTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 196, 2 June 1930, Page 4

THEFT OF BOOTS.

FOURTEEN DAYS’ HARD LABOUR (Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, May 31. Peter Dignam, aged 31, charged with the theft of a pair of boy’s football boots, valued at 15s, the property of some person unknown, protested his innocence in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, but his story was not believed and he was sent to gaol. Mr H. P. Lawry, S.M., was on the Bench. Detective MeClurg and Detective Halcrow, who were in a pawnbroker’s shop when the accused entered with a pair of boy’s football boots, both gave evidence that Dignam had said that he had purchased the boots from Hannah’s, Ltd. Eric Miller, an employee of Hannnh’s, Ltd., stated that his firm did not stock the kind of boots that the accused had tried to sell. “I was travelling up from the south.” said the accused, “and met a fellow, boozing the same as usual.” The accused added that the man had a pair of boots, and he offered to try to sell them for him. He was accosted by the detectives and taken to the oolice station. He did not steal the boots.

Senior-Sergeant O’Grady: Why didn’t you tell the detectives that?— I am on oath now. You were convicted of theft in New Plvmouth in 1925?—Yes. in Timaru you were sent to gaol for 14 days for theft in 1927?—1 don’t remember.

The Magistrate: You have been in gaol, haven’t you?—Yes. The Senior-Sergeant: In Dunedin in 1927 you were given three years’ reformative detention for breaking and entering ?—Yes. And then' you come here and tell us that you are an honest man. There was no response from the accused, who was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment with hard labour.