STRANGE SELECTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 303, 22 December 1932, Page 8

STRANGE SELECTION.

SHOPLIFTER ARRESTED. SMALL FINE IMPOSED.

A strange collection of miscellaneous small poods were shown to Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Polico Court this morning in support of two charges of theft against Frederick Skcllcrn, an engineer, aged 35.

He was charged with stealing from two shops a pair of scissors, a tin of boot polish, a mincer, chocolate, a lock and two keys, a pair of snips and a shaving brush of a total value of 0/G.

Air. Brycc Hart appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty.

The manager of a Karangahape Road shop said accuscd was scon to pick up a tube of eliaving cream, and put it in his poekct. When he was taken to the office other goods were found in his possession. Constable Snow, who arrested accused, said Skellern admitted obtaining the goods from the two shops, but said he did not steal them. In evidence accused said he had had a few drinks, but he had bought all the goods. When cross-examined by Detective-Sergeant Kelly, he could not remember the prices of the articles. "When He gets a few drinks in, he does absurd things," said Mr. Hart. "It is Certainly an extraordinary collection of goods. Even Santa Claus himself would not have a collection like that." Mr. Kelly: A prohibition order is the only thing that keeps him straight. "The fact that he was under the influence of liquor is 110 excuse," said Mr. McKean. "Besides, lie has been convicted before. lam certainly not going to let him go scot-free this time."

Accused was fined £1 or seven days on the first charge, and 10/ 011 the second. A prohibition order is to be issued against him.