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Opossum-skin thief jailed

PA Rotorua An opossum-skin ' thief was jailed for 2 years and a half by Judge G. P. Monaghan at Rotorua yesterday’ in the District Court for stealing opossum skins.

A former storeman for Dalgety N.Z., Ltd, Richard Warner Babbington, aged 29, of Rotorua, was sentenced on 15 counts of stealing opossum skins. An earlier hearing was told Babbington stole skins delivered to Dalgetys. The thefts were discovered after Babbington was seen hiding skins at a layby off Dansey Road, near Rotorua.

The 2541 skins were estimated to be worth a total of $19,591. The thefts occurred between last November and February 24. i Babbington had earlier

pleaded guilty to all charges. He was sentenced to jail terms varying from six to 30 months in respect of each theft count, all terms to be served concurrently. Babbington was also jailed on four other charges originating from Christchurch. The four offences were committed in late 1979 and early 1980.

On a charge of stealing a driver’s licence -he was sentenced to three months jail; on a charge of using the licence to obtain a rental vehicle he was sentenced to six months; and on each charge of unlawfully converting a vehicle, and burglary, nine months jail, all sentences imposed for the skins thefts and Christchurch offences to be served concurrently.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19810331.2.39

Bibliographic details

Press, 31 March 1981, Page 3

Word Count
221

Opossum-skin thief jailed Press, 31 March 1981, Page 3

Opossum-skin thief jailed Press, 31 March 1981, Page 3