THEFT OF TYPE METAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20508, 8 March 1930, Page 14

THEFT OF TYPE METAL.

CHARGES AGAINST TWO MEN.

MAGISTRATE IMPOSES FINES

The theft of type metal valued at £37 2s 6d, the property of a city firm, was admitted by William Thomas Phillips, aged 37. caretaker, and Alfred Norton, aged '4l, waterside worker, who appeared on five charges before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police CourC yesterday. Phillips also pleaded guilty to four further charges involving £39 3s 6d. Detective-Sergeant Kelly said Phillips had been caretaker for the firin for the past three years. He was married. He was an ex-Imperial man and nothing had previously been known against him. Nothing had been known either against Norton. Nor.ton had been approached by Phillips to get a market for the type, and on five occasions during December and January they had worked together, Norton disposing of 14851b.. They shared the £l2 18s received for it. In February Phillips carried on by himself and disposed of 15171b., which had not been recovered. The amount traced to the two accused was 30021b., taken over a period of three months.

Phillips was fined £2O, in default three months' imprisonment, on one charge, and was placed on probation for two years on the others. He was ordered to make restitution amounting to £3O 13s 7d. Norton was fined £lO, in default one month's imprisonment, and placed on probation for 12 months. He was ordered to make restitution amounting to £lB lis 3d. " This is your last chance," said the magistrate. " The slightest act of dishonesty in the future will mean imprisonment."