OLD COINS STOLEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 179, 1 August 1933, Page 9

OLD COINS STOLEN

CHARLES 11. PENNY THEFT FROM MUSEUM MAGISTRATE’S SERIOUS VIEW. “This is a very serious offence and it does not follow tliac probation will be granted. I will obtain a report; from the Probation Officer and the boy will be remanded in custody until to-mor-row morning,” said Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court at Wanganui yesterday morning, when Sidney Lionel Vinten was brought before him. Vinten was charged with having stolen a quantity of coins, valued at £2l, the property of the Alexander Museum, Wanganui. Mr. C. F. Treadwell appeared for Vincent, who pleaded guilty, and said that, the boy had stolen the coins in order that, he might sell them and pay off some of his debts. Counsel suggested that probation would meet the case. “Accused is 17 years of age and is a wireless electrician by trade,” said Detective J. Walsh. “lie went to tve museum on Friday afternoon at 3.30 o’clock and secreted himself until the custodian left at about 4 o’clock. He then camo downstairs and went to a show case containing a number of gold and silver coins. lie opened the case with a small screw driver that he had taken with him for the purpose anrt extracted 36 silver coins and six gold coins. Some of them were rather valuable, one heinr a silver penny piece of the time of Charles IT, while others would be very difficult to replace, although only valued at their face value. “They were missed during Saturday forenoon, and, as a result of enquiries made, it. was ascertained that accused had sold a number of them to a local dealer. This led to accused’s arrest. The whole of the known property has been recovered. The young man has no regular employment and resides with his parents in the city.” “The detective has stated the case very fairly, sir,” sai’l Air. Treadwell. Counsel said that at*the time of the offence defendant was doing radio repairs at his nwn workshop in IDubJin Street Ho ha<l incurred a considerable number of debts, upto £l6 and £l7. It was as a result of his creditors bringing pressure to bear that he had conceived the idea of taking the coins from the museum. The money obtained by selling them was utilised to pay the debts in connection with the radio business. Accused had never been in trouble before. His father was unable to account for the lapse but had stated that if probation were granted he would do all he could to look after accused. Counsel suggested that as it was accused’s first, offence, and, taking into account his age, probation might be granted. ~