TWO DIAMOND RINGS

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3379, 17 December 1924, Page 6

TWO DIAMOND RINGS

YOUTH BEFORE COURT

Whether .it was the result of sudden temptation at the sight of the glittering jewellery that- caused his action, says the “Daily Times,” or whether the theft- was premeditated. could not be discovered, when Al Me-G ruder, a youth 17 years of age, appeared before Mr J. L. Stout. S.M., at the Palmerston North Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer a charge of having -on December 13, at Palmerston North, committed tlie theft of two- diamond rings, valued at £32 15s, the property of Cecil Herbert Allen, jeweller-, of Palmerston North. The accused, a remarkably well-dressed and well-built negro- voutli, pleaded guilty. Detective Russell conducted the case for the- police and stated that tile accused had! entered the jeweller’s shop to have a pair of spectacles repaired The yoiing lady in the shop left the counter for a moment, and upon her return saw the accused step quickly away -from the window, at the same time slipping his hand into his pocket. It was not till McGruder had! lef-t the shop that the disappearance of 1 the rings was noticed. The detective later saw him in the street and he was wearing one of the rings. The accused was represented by Mr Grant, who pleaded that the you-tli had nqt been long in the Dominion, and this was his first lapse of this nature. His act was attributed to a nervous breakdown which he had suffered in the South. Counsel asked that a fine should meet the case, as probation would be difficult t-o comply with. the accused having to travel throughout the Dominion.

The Magistrate agreed to give the accused a chance. He convicted him and -ordered him to come- up for sentemce when called upon within 12 months. I't would depend upon his behaviour while in New Zealand, he said, as to whether he would again appear before the court of this char-re.