THEFT AND FRAUD

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22404, 28 April 1936, Page 13

THEFT AND FRAUD

MAN GIVES HIMSELF UP PRISON FOR SIX MONTHS H#ing given himself up to the police, admitting that he had committed a number of offences, Vernon Harrop Sellars Deal, a salesman, aged 32, appeared in the Police Court yesterday before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. Deal was charged with the theft of a suitcase, clothing, motor-car jack, spare wheel and tyre, and several blankets of a total value of £ll 18s lOd, and with incurring a debt or liability and obtaining credit to the extent of £1 15s by fraud. Senior-Detective Hall said that Deal came to Auckland about two months ago, and after running out of money met the two complainants, with whom he had worked in a relief camp. These two befriended him and kept him, it being arranged that Deal should pay board at the rate of £1 a week. Accused represented to complainants that he was shortly to receive £SO from his father's estate, but when this money did not come, accused hired a rental car for the purpose of proceeding to Wellington to obtain the money. The two complainants lent accused the money to hire the car, and left with him for Wellington. "At Awakino the car ran out of benzine," added Mr. Hall. "Deal had no money with which to buy petrol, but he obtained petrol by giving away the jack out of the car. A garage proprietor, however, was authorised by the rental car firm in Auckland to seize the car, and the three men returned to Auckland by obtaining lifts in various lorries. On returning to Auckland Deal again stayed with the two complainants, but left them after stealing their blankets and clothing. On April 19 Deal came to the detective office and made a full confession of his offences." "You have been here four times altogether," said the magistrate when accused asked to be given a chance. "You got a chance last year. Any man who robs those who befriend him does not deserve consideration." Accused was sentenced to Bix months' imprisonment.