STOLE RADIO SET.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 30, 6 February 1933, Page 5

STOLE RADIO SET.

YOUNG MAN'S LAPSE.

HAD TOO MUCH MONEY, A radio salesman, George Horace McMullen, aged 23, was admitted to probation by His Honor, Mr. Justice Herdman at the Auckland Supreme Court this morning on a charge of having on August 26 last, at Auckland, stolen a radio sets valued at £35 10/, the property of Charles Begg and Co., to which he pleaded guilty. There were two other counts in the indictment, but Mr. V. R. Meredith, Crown Prosecutor, said no evidence would be offered. Mr. A. H. Johnstone, who appeared for McMullen, said he had been instructed that the accused had an overwhelming answer in regard to the two counts that had been dropped. McMullen was a first offender in the strict sense, and counsel asked that he be admitted to probation and given a chance to lead an honest life. His Honor said the probation officer recommended probation. McMullen was a first offender. At the same time his conduct had not been entirely satisfactory. Mr. Johnstone sai daccuscd had had a certain amount of misfortune, if it could be so called. His father's occupation took him away from home, and the boy had been spoiled. At one time he ha dmore money than was good for him, and that had caused his lapse.

He had been arrested in Wellington, and had been brought to his senses thereby, and had now promised to lead a strictly honest life. His Honor said the reports of the police and probation officer were not quite satisfactory. However, McMullen would be give na chance to lead an honest life in future. He now knew what it meant to stand in a criminal dock, and his future lay in his own hands. He would be admitted to probation for two years, and a condition would be that he refund £25 of the amount invovled in the transaction over the radio apparatus, and also pay £5 towards the costs of the prosecution. In answer to a question, Mr. Johnstone said he was not quite sure who had supported one of the transaction whetjfter or not it was the person who "bought the appartus. Whoever it was the money would be paid over, to the right person. . His Honor said it could be paid to the probation officer, who could see that it reached the person who was entitled to it.