A CAMERA THIEF

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 37, 12 August 1921, Page 8

A CAMERA THIEF

GIVEN SIX MONTHS' GAOL. v

"I have no sympathy with thieves— no sympathy whatever with cheats or thieves. My sympathies are with people who have been robbed."—These remarks were made by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the ■ Magistrate's Court this morning in a case in which a young man, John Joseph O'Riordan, had pleaded guilty to stealing from Kodaks (Australasia), Ltd., eight cameras, valued at £57 12s 6d. O'Riordan had been employed as a shop assistant by Kodaks, and the? cameras were stolen on various dates between 22nd April last and 28th June.; Acting-Chief Detective, Andrews Btated that "on 9th November last accused' had been before the Court at Napier on a-charge of theft. When arrested'in connection with the present charges, accused had acted straightforwardly and had given the police every 1 assistance in clearing up the matter. Mr. A. Treadwell, accused's solicitor, in.asking that the utmost leniency be extended, stated that O'Riordan had not intended to steal .the cameras. .He had pawned the goods with the intention of redeeming theft, and his .offence had been committed under the stress of a very severe illness. O'Riordan -was suffering from a disordered heart. As far as the offence at Napier was concerned, that was committed* more in a state of drunkennes than anything elije. "His heart trouble did not have anything, to do with that case!" interjected his Worship. ">.■'■ . Counsel concluded by asking that the utmost leniency be accorded accused. ;: "There are no extenuating circumstances," said the Magistrate. "He is,a young, man who had a good billet, and he deliberately stole day after day from his empbyers. He took thes^ camera* out and pawned them one by,one, and subsequently got rid of the tickets. > 1 have no sympathy with thieves—no sympathy whatever.. with ■ cheats or thieves. My, sympathies are' with people who have been robbed. You had your chance, before. You are sentenced to three months' imprisonment on the first charge, and three months on the second, the charges to be cumulative." On the remaining charges, accused was cbnvicted and discharged:'l ' "—»«>■■