THEFT CHARGES

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1936, Page 4

THEFT CHARGES

HEARING IN GREYMOUTH. (Per Press Association. —Copyright) GREYMOUTH, July 22. Yesterday at the Magistrate’s Court before justices, Walter Henry Mulroy, alias *\Vatter James Mulroy, alias Walter Henry Murray, 31, single, labourer, was charged: (1) That, on or about June 27, at Greymouth, he committed the theft of a cart saddle and horsecollar,, 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 £1 16s, the property of John James Kennedy; (\) that, on or about July 17, lie committed the theft of two bags of coal, of "the total value of 7s, the property of William John Inglis. > Accused pleaded guilty to all charges, and elected to be dealt with summarily. Detective- C ergeant 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 emplayment by Kennedy, and, while in the latter’s employ, he stole * the sacks. He sold them, arid neither -the sacks nor their value had Keen recovered. On or about June 27, he stole the saddle and collar, biit, fortunately, he took them for sale to a local resident, who kriew his thieving proclivities. The resident bouglit them for ss, 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, andfilled ■ at least two bags with* cdhljtfie pro- 1 perty of Inglis. Accused got the bags out underneath the gate, and sold the coal to Chinese;. He had a lengthy list; and apparently had been dealt with in all manners, also ibeing'treated leniently. Apparently, lie had no intention of reforming. • : -r.c: *• : Accused asked for a term in Paparua prison, to give! him am'opportunity of making good bhfore 'returning to ■ Greymouth. ■- ; -The Bench 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 iriatter. It had been decided to give .accused four months’ ■ imprisonment with hard labour, in' Paparua prison, on the first charge. He would be convicted and discharged oni the others. . :