MEAT STOLEN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23512, 24 November 1939, Page 4

MEAT STOLEN

MEN'S CONSPIRACY yVORKS HAND CHANGED ( '"CARRIER ALSO ACCUSED ' PROBATION FOR A YEAR How a quantity of meet was stolen by an employee from meat works at Westfield and delivered by a friend was revealed in evidence in the Police Court yesterday. The meat included two carcases of beef, two of pork and one of lamb, in addition to 11 quantity of dripping. The /accused, John Alexander McLean, "< motor-driver, aged 30, and Charles Day, labourer, aged 35 (Mr. ; Aekins), pleaded guilty. McLean faced three charges in respect of meat and dripping valued at £37 2s 9d, and Day two of the charges referring to meat valued at £33 ISs 7d. A butcher who was charged with receiving tlio goods was • remanded on bail until Monday. Proceeds to One Man Detective-Sergeant W alsh said Day was ernployed in a position of trust by R. and W, Hellaby, Limited, over a period'of 14 years, and permanently for the past six years. It was his duty to pass out 'meat from the cool store to carriers for delivery to suburban butchers. McLean was a driver, employed by a firm of carriers under oon--tract to Hellabys. "There is no doubt that they conspired together to steal meat, to assist McLean out of a financial difficulty," Continued Mr. Walsh. "Twice within five days a considerable amount of meat was given by Day to McLean, who in turn sold it to a butcher, receiving £ls. It is an extraordinary thing that Day got none of the proceeds." Mr. Walsh added that much of the meat was recovered. It was cut up, depreciating its value, and Hellabys assessed their loss at £l2 l(is Gd. Both accused were married men. with one child, Day being divorced, and they had no previous convictions, Money to Pay Debts Mr. Aekins pleaded for probation on strict terms, saying both accused lost their employment as a result of their offences. McLean spent the money to pay debts and damage caused in a collision with his motor-truck. It was a foolish method of getting money, but apparently Day was a willing helper, . he Eaid.' # Commenting on the seriousness of the offences, the magistrate, Mr. J. Morling, said employers had to be protected. The two men who put their heads together to defraud their employers had been partly punished by losing their' jobs, and he felt it was straining mercy a great deal to grant them probation. However, they assisted "the police by frankly admitting everything. Both accused were admitted to probation for a year, and ordered to pay the amount of restitution, £l2 16s 6d, in half shares. i