CHARGES OF THEFT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 8241, 9 September 1905, Page 5

CHARGES OF THEFT.

(By Telegraph — Press Association.)

Auckland, Last Night.

At the Police Court, Henry Steele, a young married man, was charged with having received payments of several accounts, amounting to £45, from customers of the Fresh- Food and Ice Company on terms requiring him to account for the same, and fraudulently omitting to do so, thereby committing theft.

Chief Detective Marsack conducted the prosecution, and Mr Lundon defended.

Defective Marsack said accused was employed to drive a milk-cart. It was his duty to deliver milk and butter, for which he also had to collect money. During the last few weeks the directors of the company had come to the conclusion that several accounts were becoming rather large. Some customers were accordingly visited and asked for an explanation. Receipts were produced by many of the customers, showing that their accounts had been paid.

According to the evidence given by Cornelius Taylor, one of the directors, accused on the day before arrest admitted he had been taking the company's money for about six months in order to help his sister, who he said had got into trouble. On going through the accounts seriatim with accused he found that the total defalcations amounted to £-15.

Detective llallis deposed to arresting accused on a charge of misappropriating 3s lOd. The accused said " There are others," When charged with theft of the larger amount he replied, "lean do nothing but plead guilty."

Accused pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence to the Supreme Court. Bail was allowed.