THEFT AT OPOTIKI

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17502, 26 February 1931, Page 8

THEFT AT OPOTIKI

THREE MEN SENTENCED

John Belmont and Ituku Tangera, who pleaded guilty to breaking and entering and theft at Opotiki, were sentenced by Mr. Justice MacGregor in the Supreme Court to-day. Each received a sentence of 18 months’ imprisonment. Belmont and Mutu Kirikiri, who had pleaded guilty to another charge, were sentenced, Belmont receiving two years’ imprisonment, to he concurrent with the first term, and Kirikiri to serve 10 months in prison. Mr. L. T. Burnard, who appeared for flic accused, said the crime was largely due to a weakness for drink. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. F. Y • Nolan, said the police reports on the accused were not favorable, both having previous convictions for theft. Both were described as members of a gang of Maori thieves operating in Opotiki, and who had led other lads astray. His Honor referred to it as a bad case and impudent theft. Each was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. Referring to the easrr in which Belmont and Kirikiri had pleaded guilty, the Crown Prosecutor said that Kirikiri was also a reputed thief and a member of the gang operating in Opotiki. His Honor said this was another had case. Belmont was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, the' term to be concurrent with the other sentence, while Kirikiri was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment.