"EMERGENCY THEFT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 65, 18 March 1930, Page 7

"EMERGENCY THEFT."

STOLEN MOTOR PARTS. TWO MEN DEALT WITH. ONE SENT TO GAOL. The two men who were said by counsel to have stolen a motor tyre, rim, • -and a quantity of petrol and oil, worth £8, at Tailiape, on February 4, "merely in an emergency, the alternative being . to abandon a motor truck and arrive late at an agricultural show," appeared before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., at the Police Court this morning for sentence. They were Alder Francis Walding, a labourer, aged 24, and Frederick George Lester, seaman, aged 24. Mr. Jacob represented Walding and Mr. A. Smyth appeared for Lester, The magistrate said he had conferred with the Probation Officer about both acoused, each of whom had a number of previous convictions against him. Mr. McKean said Walding's conduct while on probation had been perfectly satisfactory. "I thought that I should send him to gaol," added the magistrate, "but 1 have decided not to do that this time. He will be placed on probation for three years, and ordered to make restitution of £5. But in Lester's case, the position is altoether different. I did think of imposing a long term of imprisonment in hie case. Although he thoroughly deserves it, I will make it a short sentence." Lester was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, to be followed by thves years probation. Lester Was ordered to make restitution.