AFTER NINE YEARS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3672, 29 July 1924, Page 63

AFTER NINE YEARS.

REMARKABLE THEFT CASE. At the City Police Court on Friday, before Mr H W. Bundle, S.M., Norman Donald M’Millan was charged with on December 11, 1915, and June i 7, 1916, stealing a packing ease, one marble clock, and a quantity of cutlery, crockery, and glassware, of a total value of £l2 15s 6d, the property of George Ritchie.—Mr H. E. Barrowclough appeared for accused and pleaded guilty. He stated that the case was an extraordinary one. Accused took the articles and had them in his house after the theft. Soon after this he went into camp, leaving his wife with his mother. The two women had had a difference, and while he was absent his wife communicated with the police and told them her husband had stolen the articles. The articles were thereupon returned. Later, the wife, in a repentant mood, wrote her husband and told him of what she had done. After war service accused went to Scotland, and then came to New Zealand to give himself up. Mr Barrowclough pointed out that although tliore had been a theft he would say in his favour that the man had given himself up and was ready to take the consequences He understood that Mr Ritchie did not wish the matter to go further, but as he was out of town he cob Id not call him. In asking that accused be leniently dealt with Mr Barrowclough made application to have the name suppressed as it won 1 d interfere with accused's efforts to secure a position. To the Magistrate accused said he was in the motor business in England after the w T ar. Before he left Dunedin he was a packer for Ritchie and 00., and he must have been drunk when he took the things.—The Senior sergeant, said the poliet did not altogether agree with what Mr Barrowclough had said, but he admitted the man had saved the country expense by giving himself up. Accused came to Dunedin in 1912 and secured a position with Ritchie and Co., through the influence of his mother. Later Mr Ritchie got him a job with P. Hayman and Co., and after some time there he went hack to Ritcnie and Co., but was discharged for drunkenness. It was his mother who informed the police of the theft, and not his wife. Accused was in Trentham at the time, and when he heard that the police knew' of the theft he secured a position as cook on a steamer and left the country.—Recused denied that Mr Ritchie got him a job with P. Hayman and Co.—The Magistrate said he was dubious from accused’s statement that he came out to New Zealand to face the charge of theft, and if so he w'as a long time in coming out. He had been in a position of trust to some extent, and taking all the facts into consideration he would admit accused to probation for two years, during which time he would be prohibited. —The Magistrate said he would certainly not make an order prohibiting publication of accused’s name.