A SYSTEMATIC THIEF.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16737, 19 May 1922, Page 7

A SYSTEMATIC THIEF.

VALUELESS CHEQUES PRESENTED. TEN MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT. “You have born too systematic for roe to be lenient,” said the Magistrate Air Wyvern Wilson, S.M.. to a twent-y----six-year-old man who was faced in the Court this morning with five charges# involving theft and false pretences. Accused was Edgar Wyndham, who was charged : that on May 11 be stole a quantity of silk hosiery to the value of £2O. the property of G. A. Bond and Co.. Ltd. ; that on Alay 8 he stole six boxes of hose valued at £lO, the property of G. A. Bond and Go., Ltd. ; that on or about Alay 1 ho stole five pairs of boot.* valued at £lO 1.2 s lOd, tlie property of G. A. Mitchell ; that on February 25 at Lyttelton, with intent to defraud by means of a valueless cheque, lie obtained £1 in money from Horace AVobb • that on February 25 by similar means be obtained a pair of boots valued at £2 8s Od from R. Slaney; and that on the same date, by similar means, lie obtained £2 from .Morgan O’Brien, licensee at the A 1 Hotel. Tho facts were given by Chief-De-tective A. Cameron. Accused had opened a small account at the bank but had not used the name in which tlie account stood. Apparently he had opened it merely to got possession of a cheque book. He had sold the boots around the town. Detective-Sergeant A. G. Quartermain read a statement made by accused. He said that he was previously a t-nllv clerk, employed in Melbourne. He admitted bis intent to defraud by the valueless cheques. Further evidence was given by ChiefDetesctive Cameron. Accused had said he would “own up” and try to get tho trouble over aa soon a« possible. Accused said he had got only £5 for all the stolen property. Accused pleaded guilty to each of the five charges. Chief-Detective Cameron said that of late accused had been employed on a boat ns a steward He had no previous record. u Do you want to tell me anything? ” queried tho Magistrate. Accused said he had been drinking and had been unable to get employment, and then be bethought himself of the cheque, idea. On the day he cashed the valueless cheques he had been drinking heavily. “ You have gone in for systematic stealing on wholesale lines. L would have treated you leniently if only the valueless cheque charges had been concerned,” said the Alagistrate. Accused was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment on each charge Tho sentences were made cumulative.