STOLE POSTAL PACKETS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1933, Page 2

STOLE POSTAL PACKETS

YOUNG MAN’S OFFENCES. 34 CHARGES ADMITTED. Whangarei, Feb. 10. Thirty-four charges of theft of postal packets, the property of the PostmasterGeneral, were preferred against Vernon Barakat, married, aged 21 years, in the Police Court to-day. The value of the contents, which comprised goods, postal notes and cash, totalled £2B. In evidence, Alfred Fellow, postmaster at Whangarei, stated that in December and January he received complaints respecting postal packets stated to have been posted and to have failed to reach their destination. Accused was an era-: ployee of the department and had been in Whangarei about two years. He was engaged in clearing posting boxes in the streets and post office and also acted as a postman, delivering letters. Witness said he was present when accused’s room at a boarding house was searched. Accused admitted converting all the money to his own use, with the exception of one postal note which was recovered. In connection with goods found in his room, accused stated that they formed the contents of postal packets which he admitted having opened. ~

Senior-Sergeant Powell said he searched accused and found in his possession a letter addressed to an Auckland firm from a local resident and containing a £1 note which accused admitted stealing. Witness informed accused that he wished to search his room, which was done by witness, Constable Craigie and the postmaster. Witness found several letters and packets in the . room and accused admitted they were stolen by him. Accused expressed his willingness to clear the whole matter up and he made a statement admitting all charges. Accused gave every assistance. .

Accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland for sentence.