THEFT AT HAVELOCK.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9822, 23 July 1900, Page 8

THEFT AT HAVELOCK.

Accused Before Court.

[own correspondent.]

Thomas Woods was charged at the Hastings Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Messrs Beilby and McLeod, J’s.P., with having on July 22nd, stolen, at Havelock, nine pieces of bacon, two carriage lamps, and one pair of winkers, the property of Pitiera Turerataha, sheep farmer.

Mr Geo. Ebbett appeared for accused, and pleaded guilty. The Justices asked if accused had any previous convictions against him. Sergeant Smart said that it was the first time accused had been similarly charged. Mr Ebbett said that it was in the power of the Bench, by consent of the accused, to deal with the case summarily. He would submit to the Bench that the prosecutor had sustained no injury, as the greater part of the property had been restored, ahd he would guarantee that the rest would be. The accused was under the influence of drink at the time. He (counsel) would also point out that the accused had four motherless children depending upon him, and if he was sent to prison there would be no one to look after them. He asked for the clemency of the Bench, and would promise, on behalf of the accused, that if the Court treated the case leniently accused would consent to a prohibition order being issued against him. In reply to the Bench, the sergeant said the police did not wish to press the charge. The Bench, after consultation, said that, although realising the enormity of the offence, they recognised the contention of Mr Ebbett that accused had a motherless family who |would have no protection if he was sent to prison. If the accused was again brought before the Court on such a charge he would not get off so easily. The Court were of opinion that the case would not be met by a light fine, and on the other hand if they inflicted a heavy penalty accused could not pay it. Under all the circumstances, the Court felt justified in taking a merciful view of the case, and the accused would be convicted and discharged, to come up for sentence when called upon. This would be on condition that the whole of the property was restored, and that accused consented to a prohibition order before leaving the Court. This having been done, accused was discharged.