THEFT FROM STEAMER.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 66

THEFT FROM STEAMER.

AUCKLAND, March 2.

At a sitting of the Police Court, before Mr W. R. M'Kean, S.M., Frederick von Lunn, aged 43, a waterside worker, was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment for theft. The accused was working on the Maunganui yesterday, and was detected by a constable leaving the wharf with three tins of toheroas under his coat. He frankly admitted having stolen them. He had never before been before the court for dishonesty. Counsel for the accused said his client had been deserted by his wife and left with two little children and £SO worth of debts. It was a case of sudden temptation. Von Lunn thought the toheroas would be a treat for his children. Asked where the accused got the toheroas from, counsel said that von Lunn was anxious to take all the blame on himself and preferred not to say how he got them. Mr M’Kean said the question of von Lunn’s two children was a difficult one, but that could not be allowed to influence him. It was of no use imposing a fine because von Lunn could not pay" it. In imposing a sentence of 14 days’ imprisonment the magistrate said it would have been greater but for the children.