THEFT OF METAL

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 89, 11 January 1923, Page 5

THEFT OF METAL

BY FOUNDRY EMPLOYEES

DEALER TO BE TRIED FOR RECEIVING

Systematic thefts of metal from Messrs. Jenkins and Mack's foundry by employees were disclosed at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Victor Lynn Norris, aged 16, and Thomas William Francis, aged 18, plumbers, were charged with the theft of 33 cwt. of lead and gunmetal scrap between November. 11 and December 19, 1922.

Mrf J. F. B. Stevenson appelared on behalf of Nrtrris and' Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell on behalf of Francis. Mr. E. Page, S.M., presided. , , , , 41 For some six months, stated Arthur John Mack, a director of the firm, suspicions have been entertained that thefts of metis! were, going on. Un December 20, 1922.. witness secreted himself on the premises early in the morning, and shortly after 7 a.m. the two accused, who did not start wiK until 8 a.m., arrived, and soon afterwards he saw them putting .scraps of nietal in their lunch bags. When lie intercepted them 'at tho gate as thev were going out the value of the metal in Norris’s bag was 12s. 3d., and in Francis's 21s. They admitted thelts over e : ght months, tho metal having been disposed of to Arthur Edward Dodd, of Quinn Street, where witness identified £123 worth of metal as his property. Evidence having been given bv Detectives Thomas and Nuttall, the accused pleaded guilty and weio committed for trial. Mr. Stevenson, on behalf of Norris, said that but for the matter of a. few months ho would have been dealt with as a juvenile offender. He had been giving nearly all his money to his jn-otbor, and he asked thc<t he be al* lowed to return home for the period that must elapse before his trial, when he would in all probability receive probation. . .. Mr. Treadwell made a. similar application in regard to Francis, stating that although system had been shown it had been rendered possible only by ease in disposal of the metal. Bail was allowed in the sum or £lOO each, and a security for the same amount, the prisoners to report daily to the police. Arthur Edward Dodd, carrying on the business of a second-hand dealer in Quinn Street, was charged with receiving on various dates, torn November 10. 1921, from Norris and I'rancis £123 worth of metal, knowing the same to have been stolen, a.nd a so with carrying on the business of a second-hand dealer without a license. Mr. F. H. Haig, who appeared for tho accused, pleaded guilty to* tho latter charge, upon which Dodd was convicted and fined £5." . Air AV. E- Leicester watched the interests of Messrs. Jenkins and Mack, from whose premises the metal was stolen. . . , Evidence was given by Norris ana Francis as to the theft by them oi the metal. Thev stated that tlio , first visit to Dcd'd. who stored a quantity of such material at his yard, was inado in December, 1921, periodical visits, to dispose cf tho metal to Dodd, sometimes as often as three times a. being made since. The metal was usually taken to Dodd at about 7.30 a.m. They gave fictitious names to him. ‘. . . Evidence regarding transactions in the accused's books concerning brass ingots and metal in the false names given bv the two young men was given, and Dodd, for whom counsel pended nob guilty, was. committed to the Supremo Court for trial.