THEFT CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 August 1929, Page 5

THEFT CHARGE

PROBATION GRANTED

(By Telegraph—preas Association).

WELLINGTON, August 26

Kenneth Janies Blake, 25, pleaded guilty to-day to the theft of £4O in money from Thomas Robson, and Edwin Alfred Bush, 33, (taxi-driver) to having received £lO from Blake knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained.

It was stated that Bush was engaged to drive Robson, who had come from the country with a considerable sum of money and took Blake round town and ' after doing the rounds of hotels proceeded to a private house at Seatoun where Blake robbed Robson who was in a drunken condition.

Bush, according to himself, protested against Blake keeping the, money but Blake said he owed money all over the place and must have it. Bush said he must have his fare and was handed two notes which he said were livers, but he did not notice this till later.

The police, however, said Bush brought the drunken. man to the polbe station and wished the. police to deal with him on a charge of not paying his fare. Further, he had put two notes in an envelope adressed to himself, which he registered with a note asking him to supply a receipt for the money. Bush was placed on probation for a year and Blake also, provided he took out. a prohibition order and abstained from gambling or frequenting gambling schools, and that he made restitution of fifteen pounds still missing.