FARM LABOURER’S LAPSE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 7 March 1935, Page 6

FARM LABOURER’S LAPSE

EMPLOYEE’S MONEY STOLEN. ADMITTED TO PROBATION. Pleading guilty to the theft of £ll, the property of his employer, Harold Thompson, of Rowan, Charles Frederick Cook, aged 34, farm labourer, was admitted to probation for two years at the Eltham Magistrate’s Court this morning. The theft took place on March 4 1935. An order was made for the restitution of the money. Cook occupied a room with Thompson at Kaponga, said Sergeant Henry. Thompson had discovered that the money was missing. Defendant strenuously denied all knowledge of the theft when the matter was brought before him and had suggested that some children who often frequented the house were responsible. He had later admitted the theft to Constable O’Donoghue, Kaponga. Cook had been previously convicted for theft and deception, continued Sergeant Henry. Defendant had paid a fair amount of money in support of a brother.

“I don’t know what came oyer me all of a sudden,” said defendant to the magistrate. He had intended to put the money back again. He had been ill for some time past. The magistrate: Thieves very seldom put things hack. Defendant stated that he had every intention of replacing the sum. Sergeant Henry: Unfortunately for him the police came along too soon. Sergeant Henry said that he had known defendant for some time. He was a harmless sort- of man.

In granting defendant to probation, Mr Woodward warned him that this was his order. If there was a next time there would be a substantial term of imprisonment imposed.