THEFT OF PETROL

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23115, 1 February 1945, Page 2

THEFT OF PETROL

Match Causes Explosion (N.Z.P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 30.

As a sequel to a fire which followed an explosion in a suburban garage early on tlie morning of December 24. when a garage and a car were almost destroyed, Wilfred William James Rabbetts, aged 21, and John Baptist Cash, aged 21, were jointly charged in the .Magistrate’s Court this morning with the theft of three gallons of petrol. Detective-Sergeant Trethewey said that Cash was still in hospital, suffering from burns, and was unable to appear. The charge against him was accordingly adjourned until February 27. Rabbetts pleaded guilty. Police evidence was that the two accused entered a garage in Remuera at 3am. on December 24. They filled one tin with petrol, and were about to place another tin under the car to drain off further petrol when Cash asked Rabbetts to strike a match to see what they were doing. Immediately Rabbetts struck the match there was an explosion, and the garage burst into flames. The owner of the car, Flight Lieutenant P. T. Curran, was a loser by £2OO. For Rabbetts, Mr Henry s;iid the offence was not premeditated. liabbelts had bad 100 much lo drink. Tire Magistrate (Mr ,1. Morling) admitted Rabbetts to probation lor one year, and ordered him lo pay the complainant £lOO. Rabbetts war: also prohibited from liquor for 12 months.