THEFTS FROM HOUSES

Southland Times, Issue 19519, 19 May 1922, Page 3

THEFTS FROM HOUSES

MAN COMMITTED FOR SENTEIj£E At a special sitting of the Police Court last night, before Mr G. Cruickshank, S. M., William Vinko Adams pleaded guilty to five further charges of theft, and was committed for sentence. The articles consisted of a watch, three blankets, a pair of boots, an overcoat, a £5 note, two shirts, a knife, two books, two Yale keys, and a pair of opera glasses. Mr Reed appeared for the accused and Acting Detective Lean conducted the case on behalf of the police. Andrew Noble, a resident in Thomson street. Northend said he left home on April 11, and returned about the end of that month. During the last few days he missed a watch, and identified one produced as his. The house was locked when they went away. Hugh Morrison, of 193 Orin an street, stated that during Easter week his house was shut up, and when he returned he missed three blankets, a pair of boots and an overcoat which he identified. He valued the articles at £5. James McKechnie, said that he resided in Arthur street. About April 18 he missed a £5 note from a safe in his office. He was not sure whether the door was locked or not The accused worked for him about three days prior to the holidays. To Mr Reed: Adams served about two years of his apprenticeship with witness. Accused was a good worker, and he found nothing against accused during that time. Charles O. Wilson said that he resided in Clyde street. His house was closed in April, and when he returned he missed two shirts, a knife, two books and two Yale keys. He identified the articles produced as his property. James G. Troon, of 306 Crinan street, identified opera glasses produced as his property, which he valued at £2. Detective Lean read a statement made by the accused admitting all the charges. Accused in the box stated that he was a baker by trade, being 23 years of age Until recently he had been living with his step-parents. He wtfs born in South Africa, but did not know the nationality of his parents. He came to New Zealand wh%n he was about six years old He was a member of the 38th Reinforcements, and was wounded in the leg. During a period in the trenches he received a knock on the head which rendered him unconscious for a time. Since coming back he had been, in constant employment except during the last two months. He did not commit any crimes while he was working. He last carried a bludgeon about twelve months ago, when he was under the impression that someone was going to attack him. The bludgeon had been stored away in a drawer ever since that time. He could give no reason for committing the thefts, as he had money in the savings bank. He had been reading a lot of cheap literature such as detective stories. He had also been taking a large amount of narcotic medicines. His only explanation for his lapse was that the blow received in the trenches and the narcotic medicines had a marked effect on him. The crimes he had confessed to were all he had committed, and everything he had taken had been restored with the exception of two shirts, two Yale keys, and £6 15s in cash. He was willing to make full restitution. Accused was committed for sentence at the Supreme Court.