THEFTS BY IMMIGRANT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20236, 22 April 1929, Page 14

THEFTS BY IMMIGRANT.

PRIOR CRIMES IN ENGLAND.

YOUTH SENT TO PRISON

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 WANGANUI, Sunday.

A young immigrant, Thomas Hepburn Thompson, alias Richard Watson, who came to Wanganui from Silverdale, appeared in the Wanganui Magistrate's Court yesterday and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, after which term ho is to be admitted to probation for 12 months, for the theft of a watch and chain and a pair of boots, of the total value of £3l 10s, at Wanganui, about April 9 last, and of obtaining, with intent to defraud, clothing and other property valued at £9 3s lid. from Harry Mollet at Silverdale ori January 50. Accused, who pleaded guilty, had been employed by Mr. Knight, of Silverdale, who discharged him on January 30. Later on the same day Thompson went to a storekeeper and obtained goods by representing that he was employed by Mr. Kiiight, who would guarantee payment. Ho was afterwards seen by Mr. Knight, who advised him to go back and work out the value of the goods, but he refused and denied receiving the goods. Thompson was an assisted immigrant, who arrived in the Dominion in March last year, and on April 19 following was before the Court at Auckland on a charge of stealing money from a boarding house. Detective Walsh stated that .the money was refunded, and accused had received extreme leniency, being discharged without conviction. Accused was described by the person who assisted him in coming to New Zealand as incorrigible. Counsel for accused said, in reference to Hie Silvcrdalo incident, that Thompson had obtained the goods and gone back to Mr. Knight and asked for an increase in wages, but this was refused, and ho left. Therefore it might be that the charge ot falsa pretences could not be proved. Accused had made a frank statement to the police, 'both regarding his present offences and others in England.

Detectivo Walsh said that, in regard to the convictions in England, accused had been rnoro than frank; he had boasted about them.

Tho magistrate, Mr. J. 11. Salmon, said if. was clearly a case for a short term of imprisonment.