CONVICTION FOR THEFT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 7, 10 January 1944, Page 6

CONVICTION FOR THEFT

(P.A.) Wellington, Jan. 8. Charged with the theft at Taihape on or about December 27 last of a wristlet watch valued at £lO, which, it was stated, he later sold to a sec-ond-hand dealer for £2, William Marne Clark, shop assistant, Wellington, 29, appeared before Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day. Mr. A. B. Sievwright, who pleaded guilty on behalf of the accused, said that Clark had been to a party at Taihape and there had been a suggestion that the watch should be given to him. Later, on his return to Wellington, he found the watch in his pocket. He did not remember taking it, but foolishly sold it. Later he endeavoured to repurchase the watch and return it, but without success. He had since paid £2 back to the secondhand dealer, and the police were in possession of the watch. Although the accused had previous convictions for theft, Mr. Stout said he would take into account the peculiar circumstances of the case, and convicted and ordered Clark to come up, for sentence within 12 months if called upon.