A MEAN THEFT

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1941, Page 8

A MEAN THEFT

SOLDIER ROBS CLUB

PROBATION FOR GUNNER

The theft of £10 2/ belonging to the Toe. H. Servicemen's Club, and two keys valued at 5/, also the property of the club, was admitted by Leslie Erickson, aged 20, a gunner, when he appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court this morning.

Detective-Sergeant Nalder, who prosecuted, said Erickson was a single man and had been a gunner in an anti-aircraft battery in Auckland for 12 months. At the camp the Toe. H. Servicemen's Club provided games of all kinds for the men as well as meals, at reduced prices. The club was run by voluntary workers. On June 7, Erickson secreted himself in the clubrooms and was locked in, and after the workers had left he searched until he found £10 2/ in cash, which he stole. After that Erickson was absent without leave until he was arrested on June 21. He was given two weeks' detention, and on July 7, which was his first day's leave, he again went to the same club rooms and had himself locked in. "On this occasion he did not find any money, but he took the keys of the club rooms," added Mr. Nalder. "He says he kept the keys so that he could enter the club rooms whenever he liked. This was a most despicable theft, for Erickson well knew that the Toe. H. Servicemen's Club gave their services in order to make the lives of the soldiers more enjoyable. This is the first time Erickson has been in trouble."

The Probation Officer, Mr. J. Anderson, recommended a period of probation. Erickson told him that the reason he absented himself without leave was that he had hoped the military authorities would "get sick" of him and send him overseas. Mr. Hunt: But what does he say about the theft of the money? ''He does not give any explanation Whatever about that," said Mr. Anderson.

The magistrate admitted Erickson to two years' probation and ordered him to make lestitution in such manner as the probation officer might direct.

Addressing an officer, Mr. Hunt said: "Give Erickson plenty of hard work and no leave."