EXTENSIVE THEFTS

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 30

EXTENSIVE THEFTS

OPERATIONS OF YOUNG BURGLAR LARGE QUANTITY OF GOODS RECOVERED. GISBORNE, August 28. A remarkable story of the lone-handed activities of a youthful burglar and car thief was related in the Police Court this morning, when Christopher Nevin, aged 17, appeared on 11 charges of breaking and entering, and theft, three charges of theft, and eight charges of the conversion of cars and motor cycles. The offences extended over six months and culminated in the arrest of the accused on August 16. The police investigations at that date led to the discovery that stolen articles valued at approximately £3OO were hidden in the accused’s bedroom, while articles of jewellery had been thrown into a creek, from which they were recovered. In one instance the accused entered a house while the occupants were at home, and removed the electric light bulbs from the rooms. He was ransacking in a case when he was disturbed. He climbed to the balcony of a Presbyterian manse whilst the minister was at church, and stole a quantity of jewellery and money. The burglary charges were reduced to common theft to enable the accused to be dealt with by the magistrate. Nevin pleaded guilty to all charges, and was ordered to be detained in the Borstal for a period not exceeding three years. Prisoner stated in his confession that he had applied the stolen money to correspondence courses, and had purchased a set of teeth.