MEAN THEFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 299, 18 December 1935, Page 5

MEAN THEFTS.

GAOL FOR TWO MEN.

HOUSEHOLDERS VICTIMISED. REPENTANCE TOO LATE. Two prisoners came before Mr. Justice Fair for sentence at the Supreme Court this morning. Neither was represented by counsel. ''I ivas hard up at the time and that was the reason for my offence," said William Alexander Coppard, who had admitted breaking and entering a dwelling at Whangarei and the theft of £11 in cash and a cheque for £o 10/9. In passing sentence of six months' imprisonment with hard labour, his Honor said the offence had been committed by the prisoner against people who had been friendly to him. "I hope I will be treated leniently. I was out of work at the time, but I have good prospects now. I gave, the police every assistance," said Nathaniel Cameron Gow, who was brought up for sentence on charges of theft from dwellings. His Honor said Gow had admitted at least 13 charges over the period from August to the beginning of December. "Have you any explanation to make?" he asked. Gow: Only that I was out of work and on sustenance. Mr. V. N. Hubble, for the Crown, described the type of offence as particularly mean and often very difficult to detect. Gow would call at houses ostensibly to ask for work. He would knock at the door and if there was no one about he would steal. In passing sentence of 12 months' imprisonment his Honor said Gow's suggestion of reformation and repentance came a little late. There seemed to be no cxcuse for prisoner's acts of dishonesty.