"STUPID THEFT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1937, Page 22

"STUPID THEFT."

LABOURER FINED £3. The theft of a gramophone valued at £1 10/, the property of Harry Solomon, was admitted by a labourer, Hector McVeigh, aped 24, in the Police Court to-day. Mr. Winter appeared for accused. Sub-Inspector Fox said thnt about 0.30 last night Mr. Solomon saw McVeigh leaving his shop carrying a gramophone. He accoeted McVeigh and took him back to the shop, and a constable was called. McVeigh said he went into the shop with the intention of buying the gramophone, but on knocking and getting no response he decided to take it. McVeigh showed signs of having consumed some liquor. He had one previous conviction for theft in 1!)33, when he had been placed on probation for 12 months. McVeigh was married but was living apart from his wife. He was casually employed on the waterfront. At the time of his arrest he had £30 in his possession. Mr. Winter said ■ the theft was a stupid and unnecessary one, and there was no doubt that it was the result of the liquor which McVeigh had taken yesterday. "He really went in to inquire about a bicycle and while in the shop he gazed on the gramophone and i foolishly took it when there was no one in the shop." added counsel. Mr. Winter, in pointing out that McVeigh had behaved himself well during the last | three years, asked that he be given another chance and not sent to prison. The presiding justices. Messrs. Strutford and Donaldson, imposed a fill" oft £3. I