THEFTS FROM WAREHOUSE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21801, 16 May 1934, Page 14

THEFTS FROM WAREHOUSE

EMPLOYEE'S DISHONESTY INFLUENCED BY UNCLE "There is 110 doubt that tho younger man, Johnson, was under the influence of his uncle, the other accused," stated Senior-Detective Hall in tho Police Court yesterday, when George Thomas Stuckey, labourer, aged 24, and Matthew Thomas Johnson, warehouseman, aged 19J, apeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., on charges arising from tho disapearanc'c of a quantity of goods from a warehouse. Johnson was charged with stealing fivo and a-half boxes of cigarette papers, valued at £33, the property of F. E. Jackson and Company, Limited, and other goods valued at £7, the property of tlio firm, while Stuckey was charged with receiving the goods, knowing them to have been obtained dishonestly. Both accused pleaded guilty. Senior-Detective Hall said Johnson was employed by the company. When it was found that cigarette papers were missing, Detectives F. J. Brady and H. Wilson ascertained that some of the stolen papers were being sold at a shop in Pitt Street. Detective Brady kept watch and accosted Stuckey, who frankly admitted that 110 was selling tho goods, which had been stolen by Johnson, his nephew. Mr. Hall commented that Johnson had not been in trouble before, and, until this lapse, his employer had spoken highly of him. Stuckey had been before tho Court previously. Tho probation officer. Mr. W. J. Campbell, said Stuckey was the cause of tho trouble. Johnson had received only £2 10s from the proceeds of tho offences, • Stuckey keeping tho remainder.

In sentencing Stuckey to six months' imprisonment 011 each of tho two charges of receiving, tho terms to be cumulative, tho magistrate said the accused deserved 110 consideration. Johnson was admitted to two years' probation.