PROBATION FOR THEFT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 49, 28 February 1939, Page 9

PROBATION FOR THEFT

BIG WIN AT RACES TOLD OF IN COURT CASE MAN WAS GIVEN TICKETS TO MIND COLLECTED THE DIVIDENDS HIMSELF Describing defendant's offence as a particularly mean theft from a friend, Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court, at Wanganui, yesterday, admitted Alexander H. McMinn, to 12 months’ probation, and ordered him to take out a prohibition order. McMinn was charged with the theft of £45 10s, the property of J. W. J. Hamilton. "I don’t accept your explanation that it was entirely because you were muddled through liquor,” said His Worship. "You were intelligent enough to hand the tickets over to your sister.” Win of Laughing Lass Detective-Sergeant J. K. Robertson, who prosecuted, said the theft arose out of the win of Laughing Lass in the last race at the Wanganui Jockey Club’s meeting, on Saturday. McMinn and Hamilton had worked together on the Parapara Road. Hamilton evidently told McMinn he had some tickets on Laughing Lass and asked McMinn to mind them for him. McMinn collected the money for the tickets and handed it to his sister to look after. He had been seen at a pay-out window of the totalisator, and when spoken to by Detective J. Murray and Constable G. Howes he denied ever having the tickets. McMinn’s sister told Constable Howes that he had given her the honey, and she wondered at the time where he had got the funds from to make the investment. Both Hamilton and McMinn had some liquor, but were not drunk. McMinn had not been before the Court for 19 years. He last appeared at Dannevirke for theft and was admitted to probation. He was 35 years of age. He made a strenuous denial to the police regarding having the money and even turned out his pockets.

A Married Man Mr. T. W. Blennerhassett said McMinn was a married man. Six months ago he had a very serious operation lor an abscess on the brain. Before that he had twice suffered a fracture of the skull. He had not been drinking until the race meeting. He met Hamilton at the races and they did a little betting and had some drinks. McMinn had no recollection of ever receiving the tickets. He wished to express his regret at what had taken place. Counsel asked that he be granted probation and that his name be suppressed. In granting probation the magistrate said he took into consideration that McMinn had not been in trouble for about 19 years. The request for supPressi on of the name was refused.