THEFTS FROM FIRM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 201, 25 August 1931, Page 7

THEFTS FROM FIRM.

Two Young Men Involved in Crimes. REPORT TO BE MADE. On charges of stealing goods from A. J White, Ltd., Ralph George Fraser, aged 22, and Edward James Askew, aged 26, both salesmen, appeared this morning before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M. The accused, for whom Mr Hunter appeared, pleaded guilty and were remanded until September 1 to enable the Probation Officer to make a report on the cace. Fraser was charged with the theft of goods valued at £34 13s 4d on January 19, 1931, and on divers dates between then and June 2; and the theft of £25 on or about August 14, 1929, and on divers dates between then and February 14, 1930. Askew was charged with stealing £25 on or about February 14. 1930, and on divers dates between then and August 7, 1931. Detective-Sergeant Young said that the two accused were ! employed as salesmen. Fraser had been employed for six years and, apparently, two years ago commenced stealing goods from the firm. Six months later, Fraser was joined by Askew, and between the two of them stole goods to the value of about £7O. Questioned by the police, the accused freely admitted their guilt and gave some assistance in clearing the matter up. Both accused were of respectable families and had not been in trouble before. Mr Hunter said that Askew was the youngest of eight children. He had not blamed Fraser as the originator of the trouble. Except for the present offences, the two young men had lived clean lives. Mr Hunter said that he wished to make it clear that the offences of the accused were in no way connected with those of Boundy, formerly the accountant, who had been convicted for theft. Counsel considered that in a case where an accountant in a firm was a party to crime he was not in a position to exercise supervision over his subordinates. It was submitted that the case was a typical one for probation. The accused were remanded for a week for a report by the Probation Officer. Bail was allowed in the sum of £IOO and one surety of £IOO, a condition being that the accused report daily to the detective office.

THEFT OF GOODS ALLEGED

Company Manager Further Remanded. A further remand to September 1 was granted when Ernest Couper Smith, company manager, aged fortyfive, appeared this morning in the Magistrate’s Court before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M. The accused, who was represented by Mr Reed, was charged with the theft on or about April 15, 1931, of goods vsfiued at £SOO, the property of Maling and Company, Bail was fixed at £250 and one surety of £250, and accused was ordered to report daily to the police.