PROBATION GRANTED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22779, 15 January 1936, Page 4

PROBATION GRANTED

THEFTS BY TRAVELLER BLEMISH ON GOOD RECORD (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH. January 14. Described by the chief detective and the probation officer as a man of unblemished reputation, and well known in the city, Thomas Bruce Absalom, a draper, aged 53, of Knowles street, appeared before Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., in the court this morning charged with the theft of sums of money totalling £ll6 from his employers, Beath and Co. Absalom pleaded guilty and was admitted to probation tor two years. Chief Detective Dunlop, in describing the circumstances of the case, said Absalom had been employed by Beath and Co. as a traveller, and prior to the present charges being brought, he had an unblemished reputation. His method was to keep two books, in one of which there were no duplicate receipt forms. Betting transactions and heavy expenses in connection with his son's education had led him to commit the thefts. Counsel said that restitution amounting to £IOO had been made, and the balance was available for repayment. “ In these cases it is not easy for the court to take a lenient view,” said the magistrate. "The accused owes his present condition to his own foolishness."

On the .first charge Absalom was convicted and admitted to probation for two years, a condition being that repayment of the money should be made. On the other charges he was convicted and discharged. An application for the suppression of his name was refused.