FINED FOB THEFT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18763, 17 July 1924, Page 12

FINED FOB THEFT.

AN UNSUCCESSFUL APPEAL.

COMMENT BY MAGISTRATE.

An appeal against a 'conviction for theft was made by Desmond George Chandler, aged 21, (Mr. Dickson), at the Police Court yesterday afternoon before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. Counsel stated that a new trial was. sought as defendant had pleaded guilty in order to dispose of the case without incurring expense. Chandler was fined £10 on-May 6 for the theft of a butter dish and two silver spoons from a railway station luncheon counter. He was accompanied by two companions when the alleged theft was committed. It was suggested that the . detectives had advised accused to plead guilty and that reasonable efforts had not been made to secure him bail after his arrest. Chief-Detective Cummings called evi-

dence which the magistrate held as proof of accused's guilt. Air. Dickson asked for a reduction of the fme, as accused was married and was out of work. Mr. Cummings; These thefts are hard to detect, and a substantial penalty is the best deterrent. Mr. Dickson: I do not suggest any improper methods upon the part of the detectives. Mr. Cummings: We had some difficulty iri apprehending accused. He was dodging us. • The magistrate said there was no reason why the fine should be reduced. The worst -feature was accused's attempt to throw tlie blame on a companion. Accused "was ordered to pay the i fine of £10 previously inflicted and in addition costs aggregating £10 lis 6d. v . Upon a charge of having failed to attend military drill, accused was fined £3, in default seven days' imprisonment. He . was allowed two months to ps.y the fines.