CITY POLICE COURT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 3

CITY POLICE COURT

Wednesday, November 1. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew. S.M.) Another Chance Angus Roderick Baxter, aged 18, pleaded guilty to having stolen a bicycle valued at £lO, the property of Clarence Deryk Provan.—The facts of the case, as outlined by Detective Sergeant Hall, were that the accused had taken the bicycle from the YM.C.A., where the complainant boarded and used it. after first adding to it several fittings, removed from another bicycle which he had bought on the hire purchase system but which had since been repossessed. He had been twice previously convicted of theft and was at present on probation.—Mr B. S. Irwin who represented Baxter, said that he received £1 16s per week, of which he paid 25s weekly to his mother, who was a widow. He seemed somewhat

irresponsible, but he had given satisfaction in his present employment, and in the circumstances counsel suggested that he might again be allowed probation.—The probation officer said that, the accused’s conduct while on probation had been satisfactory, “ but," he added, “ I am afraid he is a bland young man. who is not quite straightforward.” —Remarking that it was a question whether the accused had not exhausted any claim to consideration or clemency from the court, the magistrate agreed to give him another chance, and admitted him to probation for two years Admitted to Probation “This young man has of late been associating with people of an undesirable type and he seems to have an idea that ne is rather shrewd ” observed Detective Sergeant Hall, when Gilbert Hall, aged 19, pleaded guilty to having stolen a ring valued at £ls. belonging to Lena Lillian Bryce.—Mr Hall explained that the accused had taken the ring from the complainant’s room ostensibly to have a missing stone replaced. Despite repeated requests he

failed to return it, and it was filially recovered from a pawnshop where he had pledged it. Since being anested. however. 8 he had made restitution of the amount he had borrowed, along with (he interest. He had been before the Children’s Court for dishonesty on several occasions.—On behalf of the accused, Mr C. J. L. White said he had been out of work, and his oifence was more in the nature of a technical theft than anything else, as had he desired to steal the ring he could have sold it outright for a substantial sum. His original lotention had been quite good. and. being short of money, he had obtained a small amount on the ring to tide him oyer in the meantime. —His Worship pomtea out that the accused had had several warnings as a bov. was time he knew that he would not always be treated so leniently or indulgently He would however, be given a final chance, and placed under the care of the probation officer for a year.