SHOPLIFTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 3000, 19 December 1935, Page 17

SHOPLIFTING.

MECHANIC FINED £15. PRISON PREFERRED. " ALMOST SYSTEMATIC THIEF." "You almost appear to be a systematic thief," said Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., to Charles Taylor, aged 39, cycle mechanic, who was charged on four informations with theft, in the Police Court yesterday. Taylor, for whom Mr. W. Noble appeared, pleaded not guilty. He was charged with stealing a tin of tobacco valued at 1/8 from the Farmers' Trading Company's store on December 0, a similar charge being preferred against him concerning December 13. He was also charged with theft of a bottle of perfume valued at 4/, the property of J. R. McKenzie, on December 13, and on June 1 with theft of a pipe, valued at IS/(J, the property of some person unknown. Evidence was given by a shop assistant that she saw accused steal a tin of tobacco from the counter at the Farmers' Queen Street shop on the evening of December G. On the following Friday, according to another assistant and a floorwalker, they saw Taylor pick up a tin of tobacco, place it under a percel which he was carrying, then purchase a small packet of tobacco. He was then accosted and taken to the office, where lie denied the theft. . Detective Gillum said Taylor also denied stealing the tobacco. Asked where he obtained the pipe and bottle of perfume he said he bought the pipe last June, but had never used it. The perfume, he said he bought on December 13. After hearing Taylor's evidence, which was a denial of the police allegations, the magistrate said he was convinced beyond all doubt that Taylor stole the tobacco and pipe. There was no evidence of ownership concerning the perfume, and that charge would be dismissed. On each of three charges Taylor was fined £5, in default ten days' imprisonment. Mr. Noble asked for time to pay the fine, whereupon Taylor, from the dock, said that he would not pay. "I would rather go to gaol," he added. And he did, too, the warrant being made out for 10 clays.