BICYCLE THEFTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17527, 2 May 1925, Page 1

BICYCLE THEFTS.

BOY’S BAD RECORD. Unable to give an- reason for the thefts, and with a look of shame on his face, a fifteen-year-old boy appeared at the Juvenile Court this morning when he was admitted to probation for three years, on nine charges of stealing bicycles and equipment. He was charged with the following thefts:— January 15. 1925. at Christchurch, a Butler bicycle valued at £lO, the property of Wilfred Bearman. February 7 at Christchurch, a Conqueror bicycle valued at £5 IDs, the property of some person unknown. On or about February 7, 1925, at Christchurch, one man’s bicycle, valued at £3, the property of some person unknown. On or about February 1, 1925, at Christchurch, one wooden bicycle wheel valued at £1 10s, the property of some person unknown. On or about February 2, 1925. at Riccarton, one back wooden double sprocket, Cliater-iea bicycle wheel, valued at £2 10s. the property of Fergus Alexander Moore. On or about February 2, 1925, at Christchurch, a man’s bicycle valued at £5 10s, the property of Leslie Coates Lind ley. On or about February 1, 1925, at Christchurch, one pair of steel bicycle wdieels with tubes and tyres, of a total value of £2 10s, the property of some person unknown. On or about January 7, 1925, at Christchurch, a Bell bicycle, valued at £2O, the property of Pereivul Hart. On or about March 10, 1920, at Chrischurcb, he did seal one Gamage bicycle, valued at £2O, the property of George Williams. The accused pleaded guilty to seveu of the charges, but denied stealing the Conqueror machine or the wooden wheel. When asked why he did not admit these charges, lie could offer no explanation. In respect of one of tlic charges, he told the Magistrate that he found the bicycle leaning against a fence, and took it home. He admitted that he made no attempt to find the The Magistrate: You know, when you find a thing, you must take steps to find the owner*. In reply to the Magistrate, the boy’s father said that he b.ad already given the lad two thrashings. The Magistrate: Why did you take these bicycles? Did you thin* you could soli them?—No answer. Sergeant Roach said that there was only one instance in which the lad had attempted to make money out of the thefts. That was in a case where he had sold a bicycle for £3 to another boy. r rhe purchaser of the bicycle had

said that h<s Mould not buy the I machine unless the bey could produce authority from his parents. The Scr- j geant produced a note which, pu.-pin tod • to have been written by the boy’s mother, but concerning which*she denied all knowledge. llie note ran : Mr . j Just a few lines to let you know that can sell the bicycle at any price he likes as he wants to put it i against the other. Written by your faithful Mrs . The Magistrate, addressing the accused, said that the question he had to decide Avas whether lie should be TefT with bis father, or sent to an industrial school or the Borstal Institute. In viciv of the probation officer’s report, he would admit the lad to probation for three years. The lad would be under the absolute control of the juvenile probation officer. Commenting on tlie thefts, the Magistrate said that they had mostly . been of a nonsensical kind, and he could not understand any intelligent lad committing them.