LOOTERS PUNISHED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21168, 28 April 1932, Page 12

LOOTERS PUNISHED.

of riots. * // jrHREE MEN AND ONE WOMAN. •MAGISTRATE IMPOSES FINES. •"Four persons appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in'thji Police Court yesterday' on charges of stealing sundry articles during the riot in Queen Street ois the night of Thursday, April 14. iThe first case heard was that of >Keith Harry Bryan Robinson, aged 23, described as an English public school boy, ■wiho pleaded guilty last week to a charge o{ stealing a wristlet watch, three rings asd an armlet, of a total value of £2 10s, •tße property of some person or persons unknown. It was then stated that accused had picked the goods up in tile street. " This country expects better of you—stealing like a common thief, but on account of your youth, I will give you a cliance," said the magistrate, in imposing a; fine of £5, in default one month's imjjrisonhient. " You have had a week in prison on remand and can see what is coming to you if j'ou continue thieving." Leniency Extended. • A labouier, George Albert Collett, aged 4J), who had previously been convicted on tjvo charges of stealing a pair of shoes, ■wilued at 18s lid, and a pipe valued at 3s 6d, the property of Queen Street shoplieepers, was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within six months. she magistrate said he was granting leniejicy mainly on account of the fact that Accused was in vcyy poor health. • He is one of these young hoodlums," remarked Mr. Hunt, in imposing a fine of £5 on Howard Ernest Gargan, aged 22, fox stealing a man's hat, valued at 12s 6d, the property of some person or persons unknown. ' Default was fixed at one month in prison. When before the .Gourfc' last week Gargan ' stated he had picked the hat up in the street and had 'liofc deliberately stolen it. - A plea of guilty was entered by Edna Maude Jarvis, aged 24, when charged with stealing a gold wristlet watch and ir gold ring, of a total value of £4 2s 6d, tiie property of Skeates Brothers, and a hat worth 12s 6d belonging to Doreen Selkirk. Accused appeared in Court ,\ibluntarily and, was not under arrest. I'. " Bound ,to be Caught." ;Detective-Sergeant Kelly said that on tJle night of the Queen Street riot accused was standing outside Skeates Brothers' shop when the pane of the display window was broken. A young man stepped .into the window and handed the watch and ring to accused, who was later isen to take a/hat from the window of another .shop.' • /On going to her home accused became worried and wished to return the goods, but did not know how ta do so without implicating herself. ! Counsel said a9cu;;ed was a hard-work-ing girl, who had n£>t previously been in trouble. She felt her position very keenly and regretted the thefts. " The Matter worried her, as others who have Stolen property in their possession must worrying, for, they know they are bound to be caught in the end," added counsel.

Accused was fined £2 10s with the alternative of 14 days' imprisonment. A week was allowed in which to make payment. An application for the suppression of accused's name was refused.