SERIES OF THEFTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26471, 27 May 1947, Page 7

SERIES OF THEFTS

YOUTH SENT TO BORSTAL POLICE COURT HEARING “ You gave up a job with good wages to embark on a career of crime. The thefts you committed were carried out with considerable cunning. What you need is some discipline,” said Mr J. D. ( Willis, S.M., in the City Police Court yesterday morning when sentencing Raymond Cayford, aged 17, to two years' detention in a Borstal institution. Cayford, who elected to be dealt with summarily, pleaded guilty to eight charges, of theft.

Detective Sergeant J. M. Brown stated that the accused, who came from a good home, had given up a position as a laundryman at the Talboys Home, where he was earning a man’s wage, to make a living by dishonesty. Early in April he started a series of thefts by taking three bicycles, the property of Robert North, John Easton Robertson, and Ross Purdon Gunyon respectively, and selling them to dealers. On two occasions he forged receipts to facilitate the selling of the bicycles, and he also, on the telephone, impersonated the owners of the cycles and told the dealers to carry on with the purchases. These offences took place on April 3, April 8, and April 11 respectively. On April 18 the accused broke the window of the Watea Croquet Club’s pavilion and stole crockery valued' at £2 2s 6d. When interviewed he admitted the offences, and it had been decided to bring him up on summons. In the meantime, however, the accused continued his activities, and he was arrested on May 13. After the accused had been interviewed the first time, continued the detective sergeant, he had, on May 13, while visiting the home of people known to him, stolen a gold watch valued at £l3,- the property of Shirley Joan Pocklington. He took the watch to a dealer and received £2 for it. The next day he arranged to meet Mrs Pocklington in the city, but did not keep the appointment, as it was merely a pretext to get her out of the house. During Mrs Pocklington’s absence he stole jewellery and clothing to the value of £56 17s Od. ’’ Cayford has been on probation since February 27, when he appeared on a charge of theft. Although he is only 17 years of age he has shown great cunning and persistence. He lives with his parents, who have been very good to him, but he is uncontrollable,” said Detective Sergeant Brown. The accused, who had nothing to say, was sentenced as stated, and an order was made for the return of the stolen property. PROBATION FOR WOMAN *■' This is a serious offence. It is almost equivalent to breaking and entering. Let this experience be a lesson to you,” said Mr Willis,- when sentencing Catherine Millicent Knapp, a married woman with three children, who appeared on a charge of the theft of a pair of silk stockings valued at £1 0s 9d. the property of Gladys Rita Richards. It was stated in evidence that the, accused had gone to borrow the stockings from the complainant and, finding her away from home, had put her hand through an open window and taken them. Although the accused stated that she intended to return the stockings she still had them a month later —The accused was.admitted to probation for two years. FURTHER REMAND GRANTED Because the victim of the accident, Ann Mary Margaret White, was still in hospital, a further remand was granted in the case in which Michael George Wilson (Mr J. P. Ward), aged 31, a coalyard employee, was charged with being intoxicated while in charge of a motor vehicle and with causing bodily harm while in charge of a motor vehicle in Frame street on April 26. The case was set down for hearing on June 23, bail being renewed on the same terms as previously.