THEFT CHARGES

Southland Times, Issue 23675, 25 November 1938, Page 15

THEFT CHARGES

YOUTHS COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE MOTOR-CARS AND CYCLES (United Press Association) AUCKLAND. November 24. The theft and unlawful conversion of 10 motor-cars and two motor-cycles in addition to the theft of parts and other property various vehicles worth £6O 18/6, were referred to in 28 charges preferred against seven youths who appeared before Mr C. R. Orr-Walker, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court. All pleaded .guilty to all counts and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The accused were:—Thomas Arnold Massy Sansom, grocer, aged 22, who was named in 22 charges; Garth Vincent Hughes, truck driver, aged 17, 18 charges; Allan Francis Regan, car painter, aged 18, 17 charges; Daniel Pitcathley Calder, electrician, aged 18, three charges; James John Robertson, baker’s apprentice, aged 17. two charges; Albert Edward Butler, motor trimmer, aged 19, two charges; Allan Rongo Ross, salesman, aged 19. one charge. All but four of the charges were jointly preferred, there being three separate charges against Hughes and one against Regan. .The evidence showed that most of the offences occurred at night or in the early morning hours and the vehicles were taken from garages, as well as from their parking positions in the street. Some were driven long distances and not located for many days. In 11 cases vehicles were found stripped of parts and accessories such as the radio, battery, gear box, carbur-. reter, vacuum tank, manifold, oil pump, tools, tyres and spare wheels. Clothing and a travelling rug were stolen from two of the cars.

Statements made by the various accused showed that in one case a motorcycle was stolen and dismantled, after which the frame and engine were placed on the running board of a car and taken to the Ponse nby wharf, where they were thrown into the harbour. Hearing of their being found by- the police the accused concerned bundled the rest of the cycle parts into a car and carried them to the Orakei bridge, where they were dumped into the water.

Refusing to make an order for the non-publication of the names of the accused, the Magistrate said it was not a case where he would make an order, even if he had tile pow.er to do so. The statute, however, gave him no power in this case.