"MENTALITY WEAK."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 120, 24 May 1939, Page 12

"MENTALITY WEAK."

SERIES OF THEFTS.

YOUNG MAX'S OFFEXCES. Pleading guilty to five charges of theft, Allan Ewart Jones, labourer, aged 19, was admitted to probation for a period of two years by Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M.,' in the Police Court to-da v.

Detective Anderson , tad statements made by the accuet-d in which he admitted the offences.

Detective-Sergeant Mcllugh said that at Tctone the accused had stolen a watch, chain and gum boots which had been loaned to him by hie employer and the watch he had pawned for 7/0. He then came to Auckland and the land lady of the house where he went to stay gave him 5/ to make a purchase for her. but he had spent the nionev upon himself. .

Going to Hawera, accused got work in a racing stable, and there stole an overcoat and tie, also a pair of shoes and a shirt. Next he returned to Auckland, and was given a week's free lodgings at the Y.M.C.A., and whilst there stole a camera. The total value of the articles etolen was £13 3/, but some had been recovered.

'From inquiries we have made it appears that this young man ie weak mentally," said Mr. McHugh. In placing accueed on probation, his Worship eaid it was difficult to know just what to do with him. Hpwever, the probation officer would be able to have strict control over him.