LABOURER'S THEFTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 28, 3 February 1939, Page 4

LABOURER'S THEFTS

USED STOLEN TICKET

Sentences totalling seven months' imprisonment were imposed upon Winiata Fraser, a labourer, aged 26, who appeared before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court today and pleaded guilty to the theft of a suit coat valued at-355, the theft of a railway ticket valued at £2 12s 3d and £4 in money, and the theft of £9 in money. .

Detective-Sergeant W. McLennan, prosecuting, said that on the night of December 22 last, Fraser was at the Te Awamutui Railway Station and wished to get to Wellington; but had no money'with; which to buy, a ticket. There were also on the platform two men under the influence of liquor. One of them dropped his ticket, and the accused picked it up, using it himself. While on. the train he stole the money referred to from the pockets of "the men. On January 4, at Wellington, he was drinking' with another man, and they went to the staff room to sleep it off. The coat disappeared, and. when interviewed by Detective Hedley the accused admitted \h.e theft.

On his own behalf the accused said that _he was under the influence of liquor. He said if given a chance he would pay back 'the money.

Fraser was convicted and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour on each of the Te Awamutu offences, the sentences to be concurrent,- and on the other charge he was sentenced to a further month's imprisonment, this to be cumulative.