THEFTS AT GREYMOUTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1936, Page 5

THEFTS AT GREYMOUTH

OFFENDER’S BAD RECORD. With a record of twenty-four previous convictions against him, Walter Henry Mulroy, alias Walter .fames Mulroy, alias Walter Henry Murray, 31, single, labourer, appeared before M'essrs, A. Naylor and F. W. Shalleross, J.’sP., in the Magistrate’s Court, Greymouth, to-day. Mulroy was charged: (1) That, on or about June 27, at Greymouth, he committed the theft of a cart saddle and horse-collar, of the total value of £5, the property of John James Kennedy; (2) that, on or about June 20, he committed the theft of four dozen coal sacks, of the total value of £l/16/-, the property of John James Kennedy; (3) that, on or about July 17, he committed the theft of two bags of coal, of the total value of 7/-, the property of William John Inglis.

Accused pleaded guilty to all charges, and elected to be dealt with summarily.

Detective-Sergeant H. E. Knight said that Mulroy was a resident of Greymouth, and was arrested last night by Plain-clothes Constable Clements. In June, Mulroy was given casual employment by Kennedy, and, while in the latter’s employ, he stole the sacks. He sold them, and neither the sacks nor their value had been recovered. On or about June 27, he stole the saddle and collar, but, fortunately, he took them for sale to a local resident, who knew his thieving proclivities. The resident bought them for 5/-, and restored them to Kennedy, whose property he knew they were. On the same premises as Kennedy, Inglis had his property. On July 17, accused went to the yard, and filled at least two bags with coal, the property of Inglis. Accused got the bags out underneath t iie gate, and sold the coal to Chinese. Very little could be said for Mulroy. He had a lengthy list, and apparently had been dealt with in all manners, also being treated leniently. Apparently, he had no intention of reforming.

Accused asked for a term in Paparua prison, to give him an opportunity of making good before returning to Greymouth

Mr. Naylor pointed out that accused was liable to six months’ imprisonment. on the first charge. He had not seen such a lengthy list previously, and it was a serious matter. It had been decided to give accused four months’ imprisonment with hard labour, in Paparua prison, on tho first charge. He would be convicted and. discharged on tho others.