THEFT OF OIL

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 128, 1 June 1934, Page 14

THEFT OF OIL

"ACTUATED BY SPITE"

The theft of-oil valued at 22s 6d from T. M. Burke, his former employer, was admitted by John Henry Handscomb, aged 23, in the Magistrate's Court today. He was convicted by Mr. E. Page, S.M., and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months. On a charge of being unlawfully in possession of an automatic pistol, to whiph he also pleaded guilty, he was fined £2 and the weapon was forfeited. - . ■ .

Detective-Sergeant L. Ttevpll said that for the past two years Handscomb had been employed by Burke at a petrol station at Kilbirnie. A six-gallon drum of oil was missed yesterday, and detectives interviewed the accused and traced the oil to his home. In the course of their search the detectives found an automatic pistol in Handscomb's possession. He explained that he had bought it from a stranger for 7s 6d, and that it was not in working order and he had neve,raised it.

For the accused, Mr. J. D. Willis said that he could add nothing to the explanation regarding the pistol. Handscomb had had his wages reduced. He accordingly gave notice to leave Burkes employment, and, apparently actuated by spite, he took the oil. His character in the past had been excellent, and Mr. Willis asked for probation and the suppression of the name.

The Probation Officer (Mr. T. P. Mills) said that Handscomb had a good reputa-tion,-was a hard worker, and had never been in trouble before.

The Magistrate refused to suppress the name. >