THEFT AT WHANGAREI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 110, 12 May 1930, Page 9

THEFT AT WHANGAREI.

MAORIS GIVEN HARD LABOUR

ROBBED AN OLD MAN.

Admitting that he had a list of previous convictions, Rangi Sullawan, a Maori (22), was sentenced in the Supreme Court this morning to two years' hard labour on a charge of receiving and a further charge of theft from a person at Whangarei. The sentences are to be concurrent.

Mr. Justice Smith said that "while Sullawan had relieved a drunken old man of a watch and chain, some spectacles and a small sum of money, and had received £9 10/ knowing it to be dishonestly obtained, he did not appear to be the ringleader in the crime.

His Honor considered that William Thomas, another native, aged 21, was'the ringleader in the case, and Bent him to gaol for three years with hard labour for breaking, entering and theft at Whangarei.

"You,seem to be becoming a confirmed criminal, and at your age it is time you decided that you had better set out and endeavour to earn your living by hard work," he added in passing sentence. "You have pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a house and taking £20 belonging to" a young school teacher, some of which you gave to Sullawan."