SYSTEMATIC THEFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 264, 7 November 1932, Page 5

SYSTEMATIC THEFTS.

EMPLOYEES' ADMISSION. MEAT SOLD TO BUTCHER. POSITION LOST AFTER 35 YEARS. Two men, John Archibald Miller, aged 48, butcher, and Patrick Francis McAnnalley, 27, motor driver, admitted a series of systematic thefts of meat when they appeared in the Police Court this morning.

Both accused pleaded guilty to charges of stealing meat, valued at fl 18/, £19 16/6, £19 11/G'and £19 11/7, all the property of R. and W. Hellaby.

Detective Sergeant Kelly prosecuted. Mr. J. J. Sullivan appeared for McAnnalley, and Mr. Y. C. Aekins for Miller.

Detective Sergeant Kelly said Miller was a married man with a wife and four children. He had been employed by R. and W. Hellaby for the past 35 years, and as foreman in charge of the cool store at Westfie'ld he received wages at £7 per week. He had been getting meat and passing it on through MeAnnalley to a butcher, selling it at wholesale prices. McAnnalley was a married man with no children. He wae in receipt of £4 per week as lorry driver. "Both these men have now lost tneir jobs," added Mr. Kelly. "They have previously held good position, and until now, in each case, their characters have been unblemished."

. Mr. Aekins, speaking on behalf of Miller, said Miller worked from 5 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. daily. During the last nine months he liad experienced a great deal of sickness in his family, the medical bills for that period amounting to £45. As he had been for 35 years with this firm, counsel would suggest that- Miller might be admitted to probation. The butcher who was the receiver was the greater offender. Had it not been for him the men would never have stolen the meat.

Mr. McKean said it was no use putting all the blame on the butcher. "It is hardly a case for probation," said the magistrate. 'Here is a man who was a trusted servant for 35 years, and yet for the past eix months lie has been stealing his employer's goods. It is not a case of sudden temptation, but one of extended, systematic thefts."

Mr. Sullivan said that soon after McAnnalley commenced to work on a motor lorry, a 'butcher suggested that he should sell Mm some meat. He refused, but later he foolishly yielded to Miller, who was the foreman. Counsel asked that McAnnalley, bein gthe younger man, should be placed on probation. Mr. Aekine said Miller would strenuously deny that he had ever persuaded McAnnalley in any way. Both accused were admitted to probation for two years and ordered to pay £30 each in restitution.

The magistrate said in Miller's case that it seemed a dreadful thing that after euqh long service he should have abused his trust.