THEFT OF BICYCLES,

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1922, Page 7

THEFT OF BICYCLES,

SON OF POLICE OFFICER. SUPPRESSION OF NAME. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. In the Magistrate's Court to-day a man, 31 years of age, was charged with having stolen three bicycles. The accused, who was represented by Mr. K. M. Oresson, pleaded guilty to the three charges. Mr. Gresson said the case was an unfortunate one. The accused, who was the son of a police officer of many years' staneling, had had the misfortune to lose his position as an ironworker, owing to lack of work. The drop from £7 per week to nothing had led to the thefts, which were more stupid than criminal. He asked that the accused be admitted to probation, and also that his name should be suppressed, not in his own interest, but in the public interest, because the duties his father had to carry out would be rendered more difficult if the accused's name was published.

Sub-Inspector Simpson pointed out that the accused had taken even- precaution to cover up the identity "of the bicycles.

The magistrate caM he would adjou.n the case until to-morrow, in order to give the probation officer time to make further inquiries regarding the accused. In the meantime he would order that the accused's name should not be published.

CHRISTCHURCH, this day.

When the case was called again today the Probation Officer's report being favourable and supported by other evidence, the Magistrate admitted accused to probation for two years. He said accused was not altogether mentally strong, having suffered from water on the brain whilst young. He ordered that the name he not published.