THEFT ADMITTED

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1934, Page 2

THEFT ADMITTED

ELECTRIC IRONS SOLD.

YOUNG SALESMAN CONVICTED.

Pleading guilty to four charges of theft of electric irons and one of attempting to defraud Henry William Dickie, Wanganui, of £5, Frank William Nutsford, a 22-years-old farm hand, was convicted in the New Plymouth Police Court yesterday by Mr. W. H. Woodward, S.M., and remanded until this morning for sentence. The magistrate intimated that it was possible he would need to further postpone sentence. Dealing with the charge of false pretences, Senior-Sergeant E. T. C. Turner said Nutsford borrowed a set of sidedrums and used them as security to obtain a loan of £5 from Dickie. He repaid 10s of the loan. Securing electric irons from several firms under various circumstances, Nutsford disposed of them and kept the proceeds for his personal use. The amount involved in these charges was £7 6s. When interviewed by Constable Strawbridge Nutsford admitted the offences. He had not been convicted previously, although the Wanganui police reported that he had been before the court on judgment summonses.

Mr. St. L. Reeves, on behalf of Nutsford, who chose to be dealt with summarily, said the case could be described as the direct result of the economic position. Bom at Timaru, Nutsford had a more or less unhappy home life and left home to fend for himself at the age of 14. He was for a time under the care of a welfare officer. He had done farm work, was an expert slaughterman and had experience as a salesman. Nutsford made every endeavour to find work and maintain himself.

Following an accident he was discharged from hospital with his funds exhausted. He lived with friends for a while and then, despising the idea of living on charity, secured a position as town representative of a Wanganui firm. He canvassed the town and apparently paid for everything he sold. The manager of the firm concerned left and Nutsford was at a loose end, owing board. He arranged to hire a set of side-drums to enable him to join a band. The scheme ultimately fell through. In the meantime Nutsford borrowed £5 from Dickie under the impression that he had a position and would ultimately be able to buy the drums. Strictly speaking there was no fraudulent intent in the deal. That he paid 10s off the loan was evidence of his good faith. He fell to temptation when employed on commission selling irons for the National Electrical Company. He spent the money on personal wants and there was immediately opened up a scheme by which he could pay his board. There was no doubt he had deliberately attempted to gain money by this means for himself, but the lack of funds and the easy manner with which he secured the irons was too great a temptation. Nutsford made a definite and worthy attempt to remain off the unemployed list, said Mr. Reeves. Most favourable reports were given him by Mr. and Mrs. Ogle, Ararata, for whom he worked. He had a very definite intention of going on to a back country /arm near Wanganui and he was prepared to devote all but a small portion of his wages to make restitution.

To the magistrate Nutsford said he had known of a position on a farm for about three weeks, but he could not say definitely the name of the farmer. There was a position at 30s a week and found for destroying pigs offering. He also had the opportunity of securing a position scrub cutting.