THEFT OF MOTOR-CAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20867, 8 May 1931, Page 14

THEFT OF MOTOR-CAR.

USE IN EARTHQUAKE AREA. JOURNEY OF ABOUT 4000 MILES. A charge of stealing a sedan motor-car, valued at £3OO, from Shorter's Rental Cars, Ltd., on January 12, was preferred against William Thomas Jensen (Mr. Noble) in the Supreme Court yesterday before Mr. Justice Herdmnn. Mr. Meredith, for the Crown, said Jensen went to Shorter's on January 9 to hire a car, and agreed to return it 011 January 12. Tho hire charge was £4. The car was not brought back and it was not until March 9 that it was found. Jensen was discovered with the car at the Chateau, Torigariro. The number on the car had beon altered by the first figure being cut off the plates. The loose upholstery covers had been removed from the vehicle. Accused had registered at the Chateau under another name, said Mr. Meredith. When ho was accosted by a constable ho said: "I liavo been a fool. I knew this would come to an end sooner or later." Albert Shorter, managing director of Shorter's Rental Cars, said that when recovered the car was considerably damaged. It had travelled about 4000 miles. Witness went to the address at Henderson which accused had given, but found that Jensen did not live there. Detective Hammond read a statement in which accused said he drove to Thames, Whitianga and the Rangitaiki Plains. The earthquake occurred at Napier and he then drove to Napier and engaged in Red Cross work. Subsequently he went to the National Park. Mr. Noble said the question was whether accused intended to return the car or to deal with it in some other way. If he intended to return the car then he did not steal it, and in that case the jury was entitled to find him not guilty. Hi 3 Honor said a man might hire a car and be unable to return it at the time arranged. That might not be theft. Accused, however, falsified the number plates and registered himself at the Chateau under another name. Tho jury was quite justified in deciding that he had committed theft. Tho jury found accused guilty and His Honor deferred sentence until Wednesday.