YOUTH’S THEFTS

Evening Star, Issue 20118, 7 March 1929, Page 10

YOUTH’S THEFTS

INCITED BY ADNT SHE ACTED AS RECEIVER AH ASTONISHING STORY , I (Per United Peeks Association.] f CHRISTCHURCH, March 7, An astounding story of crime and incitement to crime was revealed in' the Children’s Court this morning when a seventeen-year-old boy pleaded guilty to eighteen charges of theft* involving £IOO, and his aunt, Elsie Martha Dennis Wright, pleaded guilty) to four charges of receiving the goods stolen by the child, knowing them to' have been dishonestly obtained* The circumstances, as outlined by the! police, revealed that the boy was a! daring thief, and that his aunt egged him on in the crimes, and benefited by them. Wright was sentenced to six months’! imprisonment with hard labour, and the boy was placed under the care ofi the superintendent of child welfare,witli the recommendation .that he bo sent to Wcraroa.

The police prosecutor said; “ Mrsj Wright is the boy’s aunt. The boy) has been stealing for her. He told his parents that he was at work, but every morning at 7 he went to hia aunt’s house, and used it as a base for his operations. He would go back to his own home at about 6 o’clock* Each week ho would give his parents IDs, allegedly wages, but in reality thej proceeds of some robbery.” The Magistrate said: “The woman' is dangerous in any community, and should be put out of the way.”