A SUSPICIOUS CASE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10073, 11 September 1918, Page 7

A SUSPICIOUS CASE

IN POSSESSION OF NUMEROUS . KEYS. “You are young, and I don’t like to send you to prison, but I don’t like the keys found in your (possession a bit. Still, I would rather give you a lift up than a push down, and will admit you to probation.” So said Mr F, V. Frazer, S.M., to Richard John Stevenson, a young man, nineteen years of age, who pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing two sheets, two pairs socks, two pairs boots, a crib board, and a. quantity of tobacco, of a total value of £l, the property of the New Zealand Government. The evidence for the prosecution to the effect that Stevenson had 'been, employed as an attendant at the Porirua Mental Hospital for the past ninemonths. On Monday, September 9th, he was discharged, and as some suspicion rested on him, his effects were searched, and the stolen articles found. Senior-Sergeant Willis stated that the defendant was not known to the police, and it was understood he came from Australia. Besides the , stolen articles mentioned in the charge-sheet, Stevenson had some twenty' Odd keys and some files among his effects. Mr Frazer: “What are you by occupation P”—“Oh! I do anything at ah.” Mr Frazer; “Have you any explanation why you had all these keys in" your possession P”—“1 fix up other persons’ looks.” Mr Frazer: “Well, you had better leave the fixing up of locks to professional locksmiths; the court is suspicious of amateur locksmiths.”—“l worked my passage to Now Zealand ‘ four years ago, and have learnt some•ing about locks.” i .-'onjor-Sergeant Willis; “This man ,„d over £4O in t ' i s possession when arrested.” The accused said he had been saving* up his wages, and the magistrate rer plied, “Well, having so much money, what ou earth did you steal for?” Tho defendant was admitted to probation for two years, under certain' conditions. Some of these, were that he shall not enter a hotel, billiardroom, ora racecourse. He is also to be of good behaviour and not offend against the law, otherwise he is to be brought up and dealt with.