STOLEN MONEY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 212, 8 September 1938, Page 12

STOLEN MONEY.

UNUSUAL EXCUSE"

ADVANCED BY YOUTH.

REMANDED FOR SENTENCE.

An unusual explanation—that he took the money in order to "get it on to Charlie" because he was "narked" with the complainant—was made to Detective F. X. Quin by Allan Justin Carter (17), who appeared in the Police Court to-day and pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing £3 14/6 belonging to Charles Meadley on August 29.

Accused, represented by Mr. Aekins, at first pleaded not. guilty, but after counsel had cross-examined Meadley the plea was amended to one of guilty.

In a statement given to Detective Quin the accused admitted stealing the money from Meadley's room. He added that he did not need the money which he took to "get square" with Charlie. Most of the money he said he gave away to friends who were hard up.

A certain allegation made by accused through his counsel was strongly denied •by the complainant.

Detective - Sergeant MeHugh said Carter toent to stay at an apartment house on August 22 with an undesirable character. He knew where Meadley kept his money and on August 29 he got the key of a box, opened it and took the money. "He has not worked since coming to Auckland, and as far as we know the allegation made against Meadley is quite untrue," said Mr. MeHugh. Mr. Aekins said Carter took the money to "get it on to Meadley." He should have gone to the police. It was a stupid way of getting revenge on the complainant. Pointing out that Carter had been in prison on remand since September 1 and that he had not been in trouble before, Mr. Aekins ,asked that, he should be given another chance to return to his father, who j lived at Tauranga.

The magistrate, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker,, remanded Carter until to-morrow morning for sentence and said he woald consider sending him to the Borstal. There did not appear to be anything in a certain allegation made by accused through his counsel against the complainant. In any case, there was no justification for Carter's action in stealing Meadley's money. "It is significant that no complain was made to the police by Carter," the magistrate said. "I think it jvaa unfortunate the matter was brought up. It has not helped'me, an d it indicates to me that this young man needs some close supervision." j