THEFTS AT WHANGAREI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20481, 5 February 1930, Page 14

THEFTS AT WHANGAREI.

THREE PERSONS INVOLVED. ONE MAN SENT TO GAOL. [BY TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WHANGAEEI, Tuesday. A scries of charges of theft was preferred in the Whangnrei Magistrate's Court to-day against two men, Frank Charles Ashman and Herbert Gordon Lewis, and a young wormian, whoso name was ordered to be suppressed. The three accused were charged conjointly with the theft on February 3 of several pairs of. shoes, a table knifo and a sports coat, the property of various people. The female accused was also charged with the theit of three pairs of shoes, fivo serviettes and other articles, but this charge was withdrawn by tho police. All three pleaded guilty. Senior-Sergeant O'Grady said tho woman was employed at a local hotel and she put the clothes mentioned into a bag. They were taken by Lewis and la'er sold to a second-hand dealer for 14s. Ashman had sold tho goods and was drinking on the proceeds when he was arrested. The senior-sergeant considered that Ashman was to blame. Nothing was known against Lewis. Counsel for Ashman said that tho goods were given by Lewis to Ashman to sell and he had no idea that they were, stolen The magistrate, Mr. G. N. Morris, said ho had no doubt in his own mind that Ashman knew the dealing was not honest, and in view of his record he could not be given any leniency. On the charge of stealing the coat he was sentenced to a month's imprisonment with hard labour, while on the other two charges he was convicted and discharged. Lewis was fined £3 and ordered to make restitution of 14s. Tho charges against the female accused were adjourned for six months and an order for suppression of her name made.