"ONCE BITTEN"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21763, 31 March 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

"ONCE BITTEN"

LONG ARM OF COINCIDENCE PLAUSIBLE THIEF ARRESTED An extraordinary coincidence which led to the arrest of a plausible thief two and a-half years after his offence was revealed at Southampton the other day. Aubrey William Sinnick, aged 33, fireman, of no fixed address, was charged with the theft of £4 10s belonging to Percy Gordon, from a house in Southampton, in July, 1931. He was r.lso charged with stealing as bailee a bicycle belonging to llonald Mason in February, 1932. He admitted both offences. This was the story told by the prosecution. On June 30, 1931, Mr. Gordon was driving a van from London to Southampton. Between Basingstoke and Winchester he had a puncture. While carrying out repairs Sinnick came along, and his offer of help was s.ccepted. He told Mr. Gordon he was s, colonial and was making his way to Southampton to get a ship back to Australia. He stated he was down and out. In gratitude for Sinnick's help, and believing his story, Mr. Gordon gave

him a lift to Southampton and put him up for the night. Next morning Mr. Gordon found Sinnick gone and his pockets rifled. The sum of £4 10s was missing.

Two and a-half years passed without any trace of Sinnick. On January 25, Mr. Gordon was in a cafe when a lorry-driver entered, accompanied by another man. The driver remarked to Mr. Gordon, " Here is a man who has :not been in the country before. He is an Australian, and wishes to get to Tilbury to-night, as he missed his boat in Scotland." The story had a familiar ring to Mr. Gordon, Avho looked closely at the " Australian " and recognised Sinnick. Sinnick did not recognise Mr. Gordon, and readily accepted his offer of a lift to London. On reaching Burnet they met a constable, to whom Mr. Gordon handed over his surprised passenger. Several previous convictions for larceny wore proved against Sinnick. There was an outstanding charge against him at Cambridge relating to the theft of articles valued at £9 from a. houso in Juno, 19151. Sinnick asked for this charge to bo taken into consideration. Tho victim of the long arm of coincidence was sent to prison for six months.