BICYCLE THEFTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12726, 22 August 1919, Page 5

BICYCLE THEFTS.

REFORMATIVE TREATMENT. Several r charges of stealing bicycles •were preferred against Wilfred John Lawson in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M. It was alleged that the accused stole bicycles valued at £7, £5 10s, £l2, £6 10s and £lO, the property of C. W. Heggett, C. W. Turner, D. I\ Kirdy, Br 6. Maddison and Y. J. Gamble respectively. Accused pleaded guilty to all the charges. Senior-Sergeant Cummings said that accused had been working in the country. Ho took a bicycle from the Working Men’s Club at Oxford and sold it in Christchurch; on July 15 he took a bicycle from the Red Lion Hotel at Rangiora and tried to sell it at Papanui,l)ut failed, and left it in Cathedral on July IS he took a bicycle from the Papanui Hotel and sold it in Christchurch; on July 22 he stole another bicycle and sold it in Christchurch. Accused had admitted taking altogether ten machines, seven of which had been recovered and three of which had not yet been traced. The owners of two of the recovered machines had not yet been found. Accused had received altogether £3O for the machines. “ These casesaarte t becoming so prevalent,” said the senior-sergeant, “that, as I have pointed out to your Worship before, it seems as if something in the nature of sending the offenders to prison must be done.” “ Who appears for him?” asked the Magistrate. Mr Johnston: I appeared for him before, but I cannot now say much to help him. However, he has been working. He alleges that some of hia relations have kept allotment moneys due to him, and this may he some explanation of ius thefts. Ho is twenty-three years of age. Accused was convicted and ordered to be detained for twelve months for reformative treatment. The Magistrate further ordered that the_ machines should bo returned to their owners. “The question arises,” said the senior-sergeant, “ whether the owners should recompense the bicycle dealers, as they stand to lose a certain amount. ’• The Magistrate: I don’t know that the owners should recompense the dealers. The senior-sergeant; If they left the bicycles where they could ho stolen easily it seems as though they incurred some liability- „ j The Magistrate; Everyone does the earno thing. Senior-Sergeant Camrqings: Yes, it is of course very difficult to put the " bicycles in a. safe place every time, hut sometimes cyclists are unduly careless. . The Magistrate: I wilt make no order jn these cases.