GAOL FOR TAXI-DRIVER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 638, 15 April 1929, Page 11

GAOL FOR TAXI-DRIVER

THEFT FROM COMPANY EXPLANATION FAILS Imprisonment for three months was the sentence imposed on Leslie. R. Stewart, a taxi-driver, in the Police Court this morning for the theft of an overcoat and a cap. valued at £5 2s b'd, from the Checker Taxi Company. The offence took place on April 13. Stewart was emphatic in his statement to Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., that he had no intention of stealing the articles. He had come from a theatre, and, as it was raining, he had taken the coat and the cap for protection. He admitted, under questioning, that the police had later found the coat under a seat in his car. “When the police found the goods.” Mr. Hunt asked, “why didn’t you tell them then that you had taken the articles for protection?” Accused: I was too flustered at the time. Mr. Hunt: Oh, nonsense! The magistrate took a stern view of the offence because Stewart, who is only 23 years of age, was charged further with a breach of his probation order. On this count, • however, he was convicted and discharged. Two witnesses gave evidence for the taxi 'company.