SERIES OF THEFTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21548, 20 July 1933, Page 15

SERIES OF THEFTS

YOUNG MAN'S OFFENCES " STEALING SYSTEMATICALLY " "Accused lias been stealing systematically for the past two or three months," said Detective-Sergeant McHugh in the Police Court yesterday, ■when Percy Arthur Over, aged 22. relief worker (Mr. Schramm), admitted .16' charges of stealing tools and accessories from parked vehicles, and elec-tric-light hulhs and fittings from buildings, the total value of the property being £l4 9s Gd. Mr. McHugh said that on June 12 recused .stole a valve-grinder from a car in Pitt Street. On June 19 he went into several buildings and stole elec-lric-light bulbs and a shade. A week lat&r he took a bicycle lamp, and the following day lie stole tools from a bicycle. Accused had committed a series of thefts, and when the police located him' they found in his possession a jack, two tyre-leVers and a spanner, whiyh he admitted stealing. Accused sold most of the stolen property, which had not been recovered. Some years ago he had been before the Children's C'o/irt, for breaking and entering and theft—e>

Mr. . Schramm suggested accused might- be admitted to probation. He had given the money he had obtained to his wife. The llev. Jasper Caldcr said accused had been desperately worried about his wife's health, and had_ stolen to sec that she had proper treatment. Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.: There aro two schools of thought in these matters. One says give him a chance, and the. other says punish him for a ficrics of thefts. I do not want to send him to gaol if there is any chance of his making good. 31 r. Caldcr said accused had been in/gaol for a week. He might be remanded for another week in custody to give him a taste of what was in store for him if he did not behave in future. Tho magistrate might then admit him to probation. Accused was remanded for a week on one charge, and was convicted and discharged on 15 others, iho magistrate said he would act on Mr. Caldcr s recommendation.