MEAT STOLEN FROM WORKS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29702, 21 December 1961, Page 16

MEAT STOLEN FROM WORKS

Two Men Fined

(N Z Press Association) NAPIER, December 20 At ’east £340 worth of cased export meat had been stolen from the freezers of Nelsons (New Zealand). Ltd’s. works at Tomoana since May of this year. De-tective-Sergeant J F. Stevenson told the Magistrate’s Court at Napier today. Detective-Sergeant Stevenson was prosecuting two men who were caught stealing a carcase of lamb at the works this morning Before Mr W A. Harlow. S.M, were Robert Alexander Powell, aged 43. married, with five children, and Cyril Tames Baxter, aged 37. married, with seven children, both of Hastings Both pleaded guilty to theft charges Powell was fined £25 and Baxter £l5 The heavier fine for Powell was because he had II previous convictions for theft, the Magistrate told Mr A K. Monagan. who appeared for both accused Detective-Sergeant Steveqson said the works manager had asked the police to investigate meat thefts from the works. At 3 a.m today. Powell and Baxter were seen leaving the works with a carcase of lamb valued at £1 10s. "It was to be their Christmas lamb.” he said "Both admitted they had been in the habit of taking home small quantities of meat from the works. "These two men knew what they were doing, but they decided to take the risk." Mr Monagan aaid. “It cannot be suggested that these men are the sole offenders. There must be many others.”