SERIES OF THEFTS ADMITTED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 804, 3 July 1933, Page 8

SERIES OF THEFTS ADMITTED.

Articles Taken From Dance Halls and Clothes Lines.

WOMEN FRIENDS AND TAXIS

A SERIES OF THEFTS from dance hall cloak rooms and clothes lines, in addition to bicycles and electric lam]) bulbs, was admitted by Ronald Rertie Moher, a car painter, twenty-six years of age, of Lawrence Street, and a youth named Mason Samuel Branch, a labourer, seventeen years of age, of Reresford Street, in the Magistrate's. Court this morning. Senior-Sergeant Fox stated that the total value of the goods concerned was £4O .'ls Od and a great deal of the proceeds seemed to have been spent in taxis and taking women friends round. Moher was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, to be followed by eighteen months’ reformative detention. Branch was admitted to probation, on very strict terms, for two years.

There were twenty-five charges < against Branch and twenty-three against Moher. They’ were jointly i charged with the theft of electric light ; bulbs, the property of Frank Smith, . Joseph Henry Pratt. Star Stores, Ltd., ’ Samuel Edward King, Arthur John Burnett, Leslie Watson M'Xeil, Russell . Arthur Boot, Norman Francis, Rita Lilley. Henry Bassett, Marion Gourley, George Taylor Mathieson and Sarah Ann Alexander, a shirt and two « pairs of socks, the property of Norman Audrey Greig, bicycles belonging to Clarence Travella, Leslie MTntosh,, George William Trott, Ronald Henry ; Mulligan, and two whose owners £ad ■ not been located, bicycle parts the proof some person unknown, and two towels, the property of Evelyn Gregor. Branch was separately'- charged on two counts with the theft of goods from overcoats, and also the theft of a bicycle belonging to John Taylor. Moher was separately’ charged with the theft of goods valued at os. Branch, who was represented by’ Mr Tracy, pleaded guilty to all charges. Moher pleaded not guilty to three charges, but was convicted. Senior-Sergeant Fox said that the two accused were arrested by Constables Dunn and Thompson. Branch was quite candid, and helped to clear things up. Moher was not communicative until he learnt that Branch had assisted the police. Branch had left home four or five weeks before his arrest, and his parents did not know where he was. Branch fell in with Moher, and they lived together at St Martins. Loitered Round Streets. They had been seen frequently' loitering round the city visiting cheap dance* hall and that, together with taxis and taking women friends out seemed to be how they spent the money. The electric lamps were taken from Ferry’ Road, Colombo Street and Worcester Street. All they' received for them was 11s 2d, whereas the value was £4. The two accused did not agree as to the

disposal of the proceeds. Moher said they’ shared it, but Branch said the most he got out of it was supper and an invitation to a dance. It was after Branch’s return home that he stole the bicycle. The bicycles were stolen round the city r , dismantled and sold in parts, making the task of the constables investigating practically impossible. Six bicycles had been claimed and three others remained unclaimed. There would probably' be a hundred or two calling at the Police Station as the result of publicity' being given. Branch had been placed under the care of the Child Welfare Officer in 1932 for the theft of £4, and his term of supervision had not expired. Similar Circumstances. Moher’s case was a particularly bad j one. His list of eight convictions included six cases of theft. The circumstances were similar to the present series. Moher had had a youth associated with him on that occasion. It went to show that one of Moher’s weaknesses was to become associated with youths and his influence could be of a very dangerous nature. It would be in the interests of the public and certainly’ in his own if Moher were put away for as long a period as possible. The thefts had been extensive and had caused great inconvenience and annoyance. Not Afraid of Work. Mr Tracy described Branch as irresponsible but a boy who was not afraid of hard work. He had been engaged throughout the season at the freezing works. Ilis friends were prepared to help him, but he would require the strictest supervision and discipline. The Magistrate, Mr E. D. Mosley, in admitting Branch to probation, made strict conditions that he must reside at his home, must not remain out after 8 p.m. except with the express permission of the Probation Officer, must not frequent dance hall and must expend any money’ he might earn under the i supervision of the Probation Officer.