BETRAYED HIS TRUST.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 272, 16 November 1929, Page 10

BETRAYED HIS TRUST.

THEFTS FROM WHARF. PORT OFFICIAL SENTENCED. JWATTAM GETS SIX MONTHS. PROBATION OUT OF THE QUESTION. <: You have betrayed the trust reposed in you by the Auckland Harbour Board and also by the country which made you a special constable," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, ■S.M., at the Police Court this morning, when he sentenced Allan Gordon Wattav, a Harbour Board storeman, to six months' imprisonment on one of six charges of th<?ft. When' he appeared on Thursday last, W a ttam denied six charges of stealing crepe de chine, ladies' pullovers, a box of whisky, two bottles of whisky, a bottle of wine, radio goods and batteries, of a total value of £57. This morning he was presented for sentence "There is very little I can say for "Wattam, except that he is only 26 years of age, and has only been a little over two years married," said Mr. Brycfc Hart, who represented accused. "Wattam was accused of six thefts, but I am satisfied that some of those charges could not, and were not proved against him. However, I am satisfied that some were proved"' Mr. Hunt: I quite agree with you, Mr. Hart. "He was too young in life; his taste for whisky, I think, has been the fundamental cause of the whole thing," continued counsel. "I do ask for mercy when your Worship sentences Wattam. I know it is difficult to ask that he be placed on probation, as he was in a position of trust. It is a very sad thing for a young man like Wattam to couse his wife such suffering as he ha* done—" Mr. Hunt: Thatis the saddest and hardest part. Mr. Hart said drink was the whole cause of Wattam's trouble. If probation could possibly be etxended to him, counsel said he would be deeply, grateful. 'Wattam's youth and his distressed young wife speaks for him, but probation is quite out of the question," said tne magistrate. "He has betrayed his trust. I am sure that if he appeared before the higher Court on there charges he would receive at least 12 or 18 months' imprisonment. But I will .not inflict a sentence like that. I have discussed the case with Mr. Campbell, the probation officer. lam going to send him to gaol, but 1 will not give him as much as I thought about yesterday.! Wattam'will • bo sentenced to' six "months' imprisonment. . .... . . "I think there must lave been some others invoiyed in the. thefts, too, Mr. Hart. Accused could not drink all the whisky he' is charged" with stealing," a ided Mr. Hunt.- '■ Mr. Hart : Well, gtt least Wattam must <;o given credit for not "splitting" on the others.