THEFTS AT OTAHUHU

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22250, 26 October 1935, Page 16

THEFTS AT OTAHUHU

THREE MIEN BEFORE COURT TOTAL OF THIRTEEN CHARGES Three young men appeared before Messrs. E. F. McNeely and B. J. Parsons, J.P.'s, in the Otahuhu Police Court yesterday on charges of theft. Herbert Bicldulph, aged 29, motor mechanic, admitted seven charges; James Meikle, aged 30, labourer, pleaded guilty to three counts; and Robert Wignall, aged 28, slaughterman, admitted three charges. Mr. Elworth appeared for Meikle, but the other accused were not represented. Sergeant Cahill said an Otahuhu resident, Mr. W. G. Wood, returned to his home about 10.-15 p.m. last Saturday and discovered two men leaving his garage. A search conducted by Mr. Wood, assisted by some neighbours, resulted :in Meikle being found hiding on a near by property. In his possession were a steel bar and several articles stolen from Mr. Wood's garage. Constables Nieol, Harris and Nield conducted inquiries throughout that night, and the other accused were arrested. Biddulph and Meikle, continued Sergeant Cahill, had been associated in the thefts at Mr. Wood's garage and two other thefts from other garages at Otahuhu. They had stolen building materials, including timber, window sashes and hardware, from houses under erection at Penrose and Otahuhu and a quantity of tomato sticks from a market garden at Otahuhu. Tho value of tho articles stolen by tho three accused totalled over £lO. Biddufph and Wignall had used their motor-cars in committing several of tho thefts. A quantity of the material had been recovered from the residences of accused. Sergeant Cahill said Biddulph had throe previous convictions for theft and Meikle had two past convictions, ono offence being committed when a youth. Wignall had not previously appeared before the Court. Mr. El worth said Mcikle's lapses were all in respect of one day. Ho had been working at Wignall's place and tho three men had later had drinks together. Counsel submitted that Biddulph was the leader, as he was tho only one who had any use for tho motor equipment taken. Meikle did not have a car. Biddulph: 1 do not admit I was tho ringleader. We wero all in it. He said he had no need for tho gear, as his own equipment was already complete. Wignall's employer said ho had been a steady worker. Biddulph and Meikle wero each sentenced to fine month's imprisonment in respect of each charge, the terms to be served concurrently. Wignall was convicted and discharged. Ho was warned that he would bo severely punished should ho appear on similar charges in the future.