SOLDIER'S LAPSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 196, 19 August 1940, Page 8

SOLDIER'S LAPSES.

THEFT AND CONVERSION.

ADVICE BY MAGISTRATE.

Stated by the police to be at present serving a period of detention in a military camp, Herbert Alick Readman (23), appeared in khaki in the dock in the Police Court this morning to plead guilty to charges of unlawfully converting to his own use, on May 16, a motor cycle, valued at £12, and", at Hawera, on May 21, of stealing a pair of trousers and a sportu coat valued at £4.

Detective-Sergeant Xalder said Readman left camp on the eve of the departure of the Second Echelon but returned later. On May 16 he absconded from camp and converted the motor cycle, on which he rode to Wanganui and abandoned it there. On his way through Hawera he stole the clothing mentioned in the charge. This, he said, he threw away in Wellington. The trousers and coat had not yet been recovered. Restitution totalling £12 4/6 would be necessary. This included the cost of the freight on the motor cycle, damage done to the machine and* the value of the clothing stolen. "As the military authorities state that they want you back in camp and think they can make a soldier out of vou, I will give you an opportunity of going back," the magistrate told" Readman". "I would advise you to be honest and amenable to discipline in future, if you wish to become a soldier."

On each of the two charges, Readman was convicted and ordered to come up for eentence if called upon within 12 months. He was ordered to make restitution in full.