THEFT OF SUGAR

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 5

THEFT OF SUGAR

_ AUCKLAND, February 24. The theft of four tons of sugar from Messrs Bond and Bond’s warehouse, over a period of nearly nine months, was admitted in the Police Court by William David James (storeman) and Walter Strong (carter) The accused had made statements implicating themselves and others. Sentence was deferred pending a charge of re oeiving stolon sugar against three other persons Ten charges of receiving sugar knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained were preferred against Isaac Wootton, A. Bushman, and Walter Strong, who previously admitted theft and deposed to selling a j quantity of sugar to the accused, receiving 32s 6d for 701 b bags. Witness had told the accused that the sugar was all right. Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved their defence, and were committed for trial. Charges of receiving against Edward Wood, a retired grocer of Avondale, and Andrew Anthony Green, a grocer, of Grev Lynn, were dismissed. The magistrate (Mr J. W. Povnton) said he did not think it was any use sending the cases to a jury. An important factor was the price, and the accused always paid the full price—in fact, a little more.