THEFT OF BENZINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21799, 14 May 1934, Page 12

THEFT OF BENZINE

SIPHONED FROM CAR YOUNG MAN FINED £lO " "It is only the youth of accused which induces me not to send him to prison," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court on Saturday, when Georgo Alfred Maberly, aged 22, skating rink manager, was charged with stealing 2£ gallons of benzine, the property of Albert Hoare. Accused, who was represented by Mr. Schramm, pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Edwards said that complainant had left his car in a Grey Lynn street while ho went into a near by house. At about 9.30 p.m. a passerby noticed two men acting suspiciously near the car. A two-gallon benzine tin was standing on the ground near it and tho men wero siphoning benzine out of the tank into it. When accosted, they ran away, but tho man who had observed them secured assistance, and the two men were found sitting in a car further down tho street. Maberly lator admitted the offence to a constable.

"This is a particularly mean kind of theft, and it is an offence which is very difficult to sheet home," said the .sub-inspector. "I wish more citizens seeing men acting in suspicions manner near cars would take steps to investigate." Mr. F. Iv. Hunt, S.M.: The man is greatly to be commended.

Mr. Schramm said that accused had never been in trouble before. He had run short of henzino and had yielded to a, sudden impulse. Mr. Hunt: Surely there are enough bowsers around. Accused was fined £lO, in default one month's imprisonment, the magistrate remarking that he was dealing with him very leniently in giving him the option.