THEFT OF BOOKS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 9

THEFT OF BOOKS

YOUNG MAN’S SUDDEN IMPULSE. BRILLIANT CAREER RUINED. Per Press Association, CHRISTCHURCH, October 30. The sad story of the lapse of a young man, who was heading towards a brilliant career, was told in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, when Lionel David Page, aged 23, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing one book from Isitts, Ltd., and further stealing a book valued at 13s 6d from Whitcomb© and Tombs. Chief-Detective Cameron said that on Saturday accused went into Isitt’e, and from there he went across to Whitcomb© and Tombs-. When he oame out of there he was approached by the manager of Isitt’-s who asked him about a book he had in his pocket. Page admitted that it came from Isitt’s, and that he had not paid for it. It was found also that he had a book which he had taken out of "WTutcombe’s. Mr Alpers, who appeared for accused, said that Page was a brilliant young man, who would, in ordinary circumstances, have been a university graduate after this year’s examination. His career had been an extraordinary one front boyhood, and he was considered one of the finest characters turned out by his school. From school he went to the university, and his careor there was just as good. Page would be punished beyond all proportion to the nature of the offence. He was ruined as far && his profession of law* was concerned, and would be barred from entering it. It seemed that the offence waa the result of a sudden impulse. Page had accounts in oaoh of the book shops, and if ho wanted a book there was nothing to prevent him buying it.

Mr Alpers then called evidence as to character.

Mr J. R. Cunningham, who employed accused, said that his character was a fine one, and he would be prepared to trust him neoin and keep him on. “You set me a difficult and painful task in sentencing you,” said the magistrate to accused. “You arc a young man who lias had all the advantages of life, and you committed two shop-lifting offences. There is no reason why I should treat you differently from a woman who steals finery or a young fop who steals clothing. Shopkeepers must be protected, and imprisonment is the only punishment.” A sentence of seven days' imprisonment on each charge, the terms to i be concurrent, was imposed.