A YOUNG MAN'S LAPSE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 23 November 1911, Page 7

A YOUNG MAN'S LAPSE.

A fairly smart arrest was effected by Constable Kyne at Mr Phipps' sale on Wednesday afternoon in connection with a young man who was wanted for the alleged theft of a rug. It appears that on 18th inst. Mr C. Davies, chairman of the Normanby Town Board, was in town and put his gig in Mr Pound's stables, leaving with the trap a rug, valued at £5. Upon his return he found that the article had been removed, and it was subsequently traced to the possession of a man residing at Otakeho. As narrated, he was present at the sale, and appearing to answer the description of the person required by the police, he was taken into custody. Accused,'whose name is Percy Wood, at first denied the theft, but afterwards admitted it. Accused was charged with the th*»ft in the Magistrate's Court this morning. There was also another charge against, him of having stolen three phonograph records and two vases, valued at-5s 6d. Accused, who was represented by Mr Ryan, pleaded guilty. Sergeant Griffith said there was nothr ing against accused, who had a wife and family coming out to him from the Old- Country. Counsel asked for the clemency.of the court, in view of the fact that his wife and family would b& here shortly, and to; send accused to prison would be to blight his future prospects. The Magistrate pointed out to accused the seriousness of the class of t^eft, saying it was necessary that people. leaving articles of value at public stables should be protected Were it not for accused's wife and family coming to New Zealand he would have felt ifc his duty to send him to prison, but he would givp him another chance. Accused -was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon and to pay 10s costs.