"AN ACTIVE THIEF"

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 112, 8 November 1930, Page 7

"AN ACTIVE THIEF"

: «. MAN SENT TO PRISON / "We know him well, and we regard him as an active thief. He has a very long lengthy list of convictions," said Sub-In-spector Ward, when Francis Halligan, aged 33, appeared before Mr. T. B. M'Neil, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-day, charged with being an idle and disorderly person, with insufficient lawful means of support. The Sub-Inspector said that Halligan was questioned by detectives last night regarding his means of support, and he admitted that he had done no work since January. In September last, the Sub-In-spector said, a fairly large sum of_ money was stolen from a solicitor's office in Wanganui. The accused was about the office at the time, but the offence could not be proved against him. Halligan then came on to Wellington, and while he had been here several similar thefts had occurred at places in the city, generally ladies' hairdressing parlours or doctors rooms, and usually at lunch time. In almost every case the accused had been recognised as having been about the place when the offence occurred. If he was . questioned he was either "making arrangements for a lady's hair to be done" or making, an appointment. Last night about 6 o'clock ho went to a city hairdressing establishment, and was recognised, and the police wove communicated with. The Magistrate sentenced Halligan to three months' imprisonment. Asking for a chance to speak, Halligan aid that if he were given a chance he -*ouifi go to his home in Hamilton. ■ ' The Magistrate: "Well, perhaps you will be able to go there after the three months." _______________