THEFT AT HOSPITAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22413, 8 May 1936, Page 14

THEFT AT HOSPITAL

YOUNG MAN'S OFFENCE STOLE FROM FELLOW PATIENT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] OPOTIKI, Thursday The theft of a wallet valued at 10s, 6d and 22s in cash from a fellow patient at the Opotiki Hospital was admitted by Norman Shalfoon, aged 22, in the Opotiki Police Court .to-day. The wallet and money belonged to Roy Bruce Gaskill. Accused, for whom Mr. N. V. Hodgson appeared, pleaded guilty and was fined £5.

Sergeant Millar said that on Tuesday last accused went to the Opotiki Hospital to have some teeth extracted at about 8.30 a.m. His operation was over at 10 a.m., and he was put to bed in tho men's ward. Previous to having his teeth out, accused had undressed in a bathroom. Gaskill also went to the hospital at 9.30 a.m. for the same ptirposo, and also undressed in the bathroom, leaving his clothing on a chair. ]n the pocket of the coat he left a wallet with a one-pound note in it, and loose silver in the trousers pockets. Gaskill underwent his operation and was then put to bed in the same ward. At about 1 p.m. accused recovered from the effects of the operation and went to get dressed in the same bathroom. It was then that he took the wallet and money from Gnskill's clothes. Gaskill did not discover his loss until ho returned home and was about to pay the taxi-driver. When taxed with the offence accused frankly admitted it and handed the stolen property to the police. He had not been before the Court previously.