BOY’S INGENIOUS THEFT

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 53, 26 November 1928, Page 12

BOY’S INGENIOUS THEFT

EJIBLOYERS DEPRIVED OF SMALL SUMS. Dominion Special Service. ; Christchurch, November 24. An ingenious scheme for obtaining a* little pocket money was revealed in the Children’s Court this morning, when a boy of fifteen pleaded guilty to two charges of theft of motor parts from his employers on October 3 and November 8 last. Deteetive-Sergcant Young said that the boy was sent by his firm to post a parcel of goods. He returned with a receipt, but it was subsequently found that the parcel bad not reached its destination. On the second occasion he was given another parcel to post. This parcel was thrown in the river, and was not posted, but the boy returned with the receipt. The boy later admitted the charges, and said that he had stolen the money that should have been used to post the parcels. He had needed the money, he said, to go camping. The boy’s scheme was a most ingenious one, said Detective-Sergeant Young. The boy filled in the forms at the Post Office, and when the postal clerk’s back was turned he seized the rubber stamp and stamped the receints. He then threw the parcels away, and took the nostage money for himself. The second parcel had been returned, but tne first parcel had not been recovered. The boy had received a good thrashing from his parents, and was apparently fully cognisant of his position. His employer spoke well of him, and would give him another chance. His pocket money had been Is. a week. The Magistrate (Mr. E. D. Mosley)’ admonished the boy, telling him that he deserved all he got. and that he would have to “go straight” in the future. The boy promised to reform, and said that he would take advantage of any chance given him. He was ordered to refund 165.. the value of the first parcel, and Is. 4d. postage money. He wag placed under the supervision of the Child .Welfare Officer for two year*