SUGAR THIEVES

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 160814, 23 November 1920, Page 3

SUGAR THIEVES

AUCKLAND PROSECUTIONS, THIEYES. SENT TO GAOL, (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Nov. 23. _ During the hearing of prosecutions in the Magistrate’s Court to-day in connection with thefts of sugar, the manager of the works at Chelsea stated that shortages of sugar for three months were estimated at 100 tons. The theft of about three tons of sugar in the course of transport from the Chelsea works to various plfices in the city was admitted by Francis G. Torbett (41), Charles Liliwall (34), and Edward F. 'Bowden (36). Detective-Sergeant Hammond stated that Torbett was a lighterman in charge of a lighter on which the sugar was brought from Ch-Slsea to Albert Wharf, where it was delivered to the New Zealand Express Company, which bad a contract for the delivery of sugar. Lilt wall was foreman for the Express Company, and Bowden was a carter for that company. Torbett was' in a position to get sugar short totalled into the lighter, and what was over when the tallied lot was delivered and signed for at tho wharf on the city side, he arranged with Liliwall to take and have Bowden de i liver it wherever they could place it. The three men shared in what money they obtained for the sugar. Charles Jno. Anderson (29), a carter, admitted having received a ton of sugar from Bowden, knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained; and Yalentino Townsend (32), another carter, admitted having received a bag of stolen sugar. Liliwall, Torbett, and Bowden were represented by Mr Moody, who made a plea for accused. Counsel pointed out that if the Magistrate deemed ii necessary to send the men to prison a short sentence would be as severe a punishment to married men with good characters as a long sentence, and ii would not press so heavily on their families. Torbett, counsel added, got the extra punishment of losing £4O superannuation money. His Worship stated that there was a combine to commit crime and a breach of trust. He did not think a long sentence necessaty with men of this kind, but imprisonment must be imposed. Liliwall would .be sentenced to two months’ hard, labour, Torbett to a month’s hard labour, and Bowden would he fined £lO. When Anderson came up for sentence. Detective-Sergeant Hammond said that Bowden had twice arranged with this man to take half a ton, and he had disposed of it to various people. The half-ton was got off Bowden’s lorry. Mr McLiver said Anderson took the half-ton and paid £9 for it, and sold it in bags to various people. One bag he sold to another .carter (Townsend) for 2Qs. Accused was fined £2O. Townsend, who had received one hag of sugar from Anderson and paid 20s for it, was fined £lO.