MANY CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 182, 4 August 1939, Page 8

MANY CHARGES.

FARM HAND IN DOCK.

YOUTH FOR SENTENCE.

A long series of charges—lß of breaking and entering and theft from shops, offices and houses in the city, four of breaking ana entering with intent to commit a crime, two of theft and two of mischief by damaging windows valued at 7/fi—was brought against Kenneth Walter Percival (10), a farm hand, in the Police Court yesterday afternoon. Mr. J. Morling, S.M., was on the Bench.

The offences were alleged to- have occurred between May II and July 14. The accused was charged with stealing a wide assortment of articles, including a typewriter, keys, biscuits, tools, clothing, a wrist watch, a watch and chain, a thermometer, linen, a purse, a magnifying glass, a silver pencil, a paper punch, pocket knives, a gold medal, a pension pay book and certificate, cigarette cases, a microscope, a tape measure, a. wallet, a fountain pen and several sums of inonev. of a total value of £01 IS/0.

Mr. K. C. Aekins appeared for the accused. Detective-Sergeant P. J. Nalder prosecuted.

Thirty-two witnesses save evidence, including twcnty-eiisht who described how entrance to the various premises had been eiiined. and three second-hand dealer*, to whom accused had disposed of stolen poods. Detective C. A. Lane. who had charge of the inquiries and arrested the accused and recovered all the stolen property, said Percival had given him every assistance and had spent a whole day with him showing where the offences had occurred. Percival said he committed the crimes partly because he was short of money and partly because of the excitement he got out of it. Counsel suggested that accused should be mentally examined. On the 2."i indictable charges Percival was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, and on the summary counts he was remanded until after he has been dealt with by the higher Court.