"MORE FOOL THAN THIEF."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 167, 17 July 1931, Page 8

"MORE FOOL THAN THIEF."

TWO MISSING WHEELS. MAN GETS BENEFIT OF DOUBT. The theft of two motor wheels and tvres, valued at £10, belonging to Alexander Wilson; was charged agams; Robert Aydon Arklees (33), a coal merchant/at the Police Court to-day. Mr. 'A. A. Bodley represented accused, who denied the charge. Evidence was giten that accused, in response' to a.-newspaper advertisement, called at Mr. Wilson's house about the wheels and tyres. He ea« Mrs Wilson, who told him that she could not do anything as her husband was not at home. That was on July i. lwo days later she discovered that the wheels were missing. • . ictiiio' Detective L. Wileou said ArkJess was very frank and admitted takin" both wheels, which he had "kept in ■i "shed. He said he took the wheels •twav in order to try them on one of his vehicles to see if they fitted. He intended to inform the owner of what he had done, but owing to illness and pressure of work he had forgotten to do so. Mr Bodley. submitted that Arkless did not intend to deprive the owner of the 'wheels permanently. . . f "He's more of a fool than a tniet, and I will give him the benefit ot the doubt," said Mr. _F. K. Hunt, in d ■ missing the charge on payment of cost?.