AN OLD OFFENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 196, 7 August 1940, Page 3

AN OLD OFFENCE

——— *; THEFT COMMITTED TWELVE MONTHS AGO REMAND TO AUCKLAND ONT SECOND CHARGE When Armstrong McCormick, aged 20, appeared before Messrs G. A. Brabant and C. G. Lucas,, Justices of ! the Peace, in the Police Court on Monday morning, he pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing goods in Wha katane on or about August 1939. It was revealed by the prosecutor, Sergeant M. Farrell, that McCormick was a military deserter. The first charge preferred against McCormick was that oil \or about 1/8/1939 lie did steal a packet of electric light bulbs, valued at £1 ss, the property of R. W. Schofiekl, and the second, for which lie was not asked to plead, the police applying for a remand to Auckland, was that on or about 15/6/1940, at Punganui, near Kaukapakapa, North Auckland, he did steal a leather overcoat, valued at £4 and a driver's license, valued at ss, the property of John Lee. In detailing the circumstances sur rounding the first charge, Sergeant M, Farrell said that accused, at the time the offence was committed, was employed as a farm hand at Otakiri. He had reriioved the bulbs from Mr Schofield's property and they had been found in his possession when arrested. McCormick, - said Sergeant Farrell, had enlisted with the military forces, but had deserted. There was a warrant out for litis arrest. In applying for a remand to ap-< pear at Auckland on the Btli inst., the prosecutor informed the court that other charges were pending. On the theft count McCormick was convicted and discharged.