MONEY SNATCHERS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3494, 2 November 1926, Page 13

MONEY SNATCHERS

"IMPOSSIBLE TO SAT GOO£> WORD FOR HIM.” INVERCARGILL, Oct, 29th. "His long suit is going to hotels and taking money from men who are not sober. He’s an absolute waster, ■and it is impossible, to say a good word for him.” In these words Sergeant Hewitt summed up Arthur M'Keovcr. alias Anderson, who was charged before Mr. Cruiokshank, S.M. with stealing the sum of £2 from Samuel Luke. Sergeant Hewitt said that on Labour Day the police received information that a, man answering M’Keever’s description had stolen £2 from a man in a hotel in Bluff. When apprehended in Invercargill, M’Keever denied stealing the money and told the sergeant he could have any money found on him. Accused was searched and two pound notes were found secreted’ in his underclothing. Samuel Luke said that accused snatched the notes from his hand as he took them from his pocket and hurriedly departed. Witness was then sober.

Accused said that he was in the hotel when Luke asked him to purchase some bottled liquor for him and gave him £l. He purchased the liquor and returned the change to Luke. He had money of his own and did not secret the two notes. He did not know that the two notes were left, and pleaded that should the Magistrate convict him to be lenient and grant strict probation. Sergeant Hewitt said that M’Keever was released from gaol only two ago, he was imprisoned for not supporting his wife and three children. After considering the matter with the Probation Officer, his Worship said accused’s record was a bad one, and, despite further pleading, accused was convicted and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.