14 DAYS’ GAOL FOR STEALING TOHEROAS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6851, 5 March 1929, Page 9

14 DAYS’ GAOL FOR STEALING TOHEROAS

LEFT WITH TWO CHILDREN. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Mar. 1. At the Police Court, Before Mr. McKean, S.M., Frederick von Lune, aged 43, a waterside worker, was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment for theft. Accused was working on Maunganui when he was detected by a constablo leaving the wharf with throe tins of toheroas under his coat. He frankly admitted having stolen them. He had never before been in court for dishonesty. Counsel for the accused said that his client had been deserted by his wife and left with two little children and £SO of debts. It was a sudden temptation. Von Lune thought that the toheroas would bo a treat for his children.

Asked where the accused got the toheroas from, counsel said that von Lune was anxious to take all the blame on himself and preferred not to say how ho got them. Mr. McKean said that the question of von Lune and his two children was a difficult one, but it could not be allowed to influence him. It was no use imposing a fine because von Lune could not pay it. In imposing the sentence of 14 days’ imprisonment, the magistrate said the term wrnuld have been greater but for accused’s children.