Three Plead Guilty To Cattle Stealing

Northern Advocate, 25 August 1948, Page 4

Three Plead Guilty To Cattle Stealing

WELLINGTON, Wed. (P.A.).—Three men who had pleaded guilty jointly at Taihape to a charge of cattle stealing, appeared for sentence before Mr Justice Fair in the Supreme Court today. They were Errol Albert Healey, 30, labourer, James Daniel Banks, 24, farmer, and George Warner, 19, farm labourer.

Counsel for Healey and Banks said there had been no premeditation to shoot the cattle which were the subject of the offence. The three men had cut the throat of one animal concerned because it had not been shot dead.

They had then destroyed the earmarks.

His Honour said the evidence did not go so far as to state that the offence was deliberate. Counsel said it was a pity the charge could not have been reduced to a complaint of mischief.

RESTITUTION OFFER Banks had offered to meet a big proportion of the restitution. Counsel for Warner said his client had taken no part in the shooting of the animals or in cutting off the earmarks. but assisted only in cutting up the beasts.

Admitting Warner to probation for two years, His Honor ordered that he deposit his rifle with the police and use it only with their permission. In view of Banks’ good reputation for steady work, he would also be granted probation, said His Honor. Healey had probably acted on impulse, but he had not offered to nay for the cattle as any self-respecting man would. *

These two were granted three years’ probation and ordered to pay £l6/10/each as restitution. All three would pay £lO towards the costs of the prosecution.