FOR SENTENCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 39, 25 November 1938, Page 3

FOR SENTENCE

SEVEN YOUTHS PLEAD GUILTY.

THEFT AND CAR CONVERSION.

[Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 24

Theft and the unlawful conversion of 10 motor-cars and two motor-cycles, of a total value of £lllß, in addition to the theft of parts and other property from various vehicles worth £6O 18s Od, wen* referred to in 28 charges preferred against seven youths who appeared before Mr C. R. O.it Walker, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court. They all pleaded guilty to all counts, and were committed for sentence.

The accused were: Thomas Arnold Massy Sansom, a grocer, aged 22, who was named in 22 charges; Garth Vincent. Hughes, a truck driver, aged 17, 18 charges; Allan Francis Regan, a car painter, aged IS, 17 charges; Daniel Pitcaithlev Calder, an electrician, aged 18, three charges; Albert Edward Butler, a. motor trimmer, aged 19, two charges; Allan Kongo Ross( a 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. Evidence showed that most of the offences occurred at night, or in the early morning hours, and the vehicles were taken from garages, as well as from their parking positions in the street. Some were driven long distances and not located for many days. In 11 cases the 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 accused showed that in one case a motor-cycle was stolen and dismantled, after which the frame and engine were placed on the running-board of a car and taken to the Ponsonby wharf, where they were thrown into the harbour. Hearing of their being found by the 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 lie had the power to do so. The statute, however, gave him no power in this case.