UNUSUAL THEFT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20331, 14 June 1934, Page 9

UNUSUAL THEFT.

“ Can, Milk and Measure Disappeared.” RAID ON A CART. For stealing the milk can of another vendor to make up a shortage when his own cows had run dry, Herbert Hope Aitken, a milkman, was fined £2 by Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the Police Court this morning. The charge, to which accused pleaded guilty, was that on May 29 he stole a milk can, a measure and two gallons of milk, the property of Charles Francis' Freeman. The .accused was not represented by counsel. Chief-Detective Dunlop said that there were unusual features to the case. The complainant left his milk cart for a few minutes and when he came back the can, milk and measure had disappeared. A few days later he saw the accused driving his own delivery truck, and on it he recognised the missing can. He taxed the accused, who frankly admitted the theft. “ The accused said,” added the ChiefDetective, “ that some of his cows had run dry, and he was short of milk. He was tempted, and gave way. The man had two previous convictions. He did not appea'r to be of a very strong mentality. The accused was fined £2, in default fourteen days’ imprisonment, and was allowed time in which to pay. A request for suppression of his name was refused.