Systematic Bicycle Thief

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 57, 9 March 1943, Page 6

Systematic Bicycle Thief

In the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Gordon Wm. James Lawton, a blacksmith, aged 42 years, admitted stealing an overcoat valued at £6 10s, from a dance hall, a bicycle valued at £lO, another cycle valued at £6 10s, a spanner valued at 15s and munition parts valued at 18s 6d. Senior-Sergt. J. Mclntyre said Lawton took the overcoat to a dry-cleaner and endeavoured to get it dyed another colour. When the police were making inquiries about the overcoat, they found bicycles and cycle parts at the place where Lawton lived. The bicycles had been dissembled and rebuilt with the parts from the stolen bicycles mixed up. Lawton would not admit the theft of a third bicycle valued at £9, but after hearing evidence of identification, his Worship considered the charge had been proved. There had been a systematic series of thefts, Mr. Lawry added, for which accused must be punished. Lawton was sent to gaol for three months on each of the bicycle theft charges and one month on each of the other three charges—a total of one year.