EIGHT THEFTS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 266, 22 August 1936, Page 9

EIGHT THEFTS.

ENGLISHMAN IMPRISONED. (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, August 21. An Englishman, Edward Arthur Knox, aged 28, described on the charge sheet in the Police Court as a remittance man, admitted a series of systematic thefts from hotel bedrooms in different parts of New Zealand. immaculately dressed, lie; pleaded guilty to eight charges of stealing sums of money ranging from' £lO and £3O in notes, and jewellery, etc., of a total value of £l7. Detective Murch said that when interviewed at an Auckland hotel, accused admitted the offences, stating that lie was a native of Birmingham and that he arrived in Wellington by the Tainui in April last. Hie said he went to Coromandel gold prospecting, and later stole £6 in notes from a bedroom in Hotel Stonehurst, Auckland. He went to Sydney and while returning in August lie met Mrs Richardson, and American tourist, and her daughter, at the Hotel St. George, Wellington. He noticed that Mrs Richardson had diamond rings and he wanted to get them so that he could return to England. He took her suitcase away to the Midland Hotel, but on opening it he did not find the diamond rings, but other jewellery and property. Senior-Detective Hall said accused also admitted stealing a gold watch, a cigarette case, and a match container from a Swiss doctor in Sydney. He also told the police ho went on a pleasure; cruise to Noumea on the W r anganella and stole from a cabin. Mr W'yvem "Wilson said it was not a case for probation, prisoner having set out to lead a dishonest life. Sentence of eight months’ imprisonment was passed, the sentence being one month cumulative on each of the eight charges.