THEFT CHARGES ADMITTED

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27367, 4 June 1954, Page 9

THEFT CHARGES ADMITTED

ALLEGED BLACKMAIL BY BOOKMAKER

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, June 3. Wynton James Wilkinson, aged 29, pleaded guilty before Mr M. C. Astley, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court today to three theft charges. He was remanded for a week for a probation officer’s report. He admitted stealing £9O from George Courts, Ltd. between September, 1953, and May 21 last, as well as £5 and £3 18s 6d on May 21 and May 26. Detective-Sergeant J. G. Rossiter said that the accused was frank about his offences. “The complainant firm is unable to arrive at any definite figure without a complete stock-taking,”, he added. “The accused did not record the sums stolen. In each case he accepted money from customers and

gave change from his own pocket.” Detective-Sergeant Wilkinson said that the accused had said he resorted to thieving to pay bookmaking debts. The bookmaker was alleged to. have said he would “send some friends around to beat him up” if he did not pay. The accused claimed he became so afraid he began to steal. The man had telephoned him at work continually and waited outside to collect money. On one occasion he had gone to Wilkinson’s home. The accused had been earning £l6 a week. “There is no doubt the bookmaker was blackmailing this man and threatening him,” said Mr K. C. Aekins, for the accused. “He said he knew one of the directors of Courts and threatened Wilkinson with the loss of

his job. Unfortunately, he also resorted to gambling to pay off his debts, and, of course, he lost more. It is clear he was terrified, and the pity is that he did not confess the whole thing to the police.”

“No man can shelter behind blackmailing thefts,” said the Magistrate, “but this man was detected in one act and the other charges follow from his own admissions. There do seem to be (mitigating circumstances.”