PHARMACY THEFTS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14770, 8 October 1921, Page 5

PHARMACY THEFTS

ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT.

PACKER SENT TO GAOL

OTHERS ADMITTED TO PROBATION

William Alfred Packer (Mr Webb), Frederick Thomas Herbert Skinner (Mr Mac Diarmid), and Leonard William Cooper (Mr Nofthcroft), remanded from last Thursday on charges of stealing various articles from Manning’s lower pharmacy, appeared before Mr 11. A. Young, S.M., at the Hamilton Gourt to-day.

Orlando James Elder (Mr MacDiarmid), who had been arrested since the other men had been arraigned, was charged with the theft of a number of articles from the pharmacy similar to those stolen by the other men. He pleaded guilty and elected to he dealt with summarily.

His Worship said that he would be failing in his duty if he put Packer on probation, for the man had been in a position of trust and had abused this trust by systematic thefts. There was also a graver aspect of the case Packer had encouraged and assisted three right-living young men to steal. In view of Hie fact, however, that he had no previous conviction against him and had made a full confession he wolud lie sentenced merely to I i days’ imprisonment, with hard labour. The three young men. said His Worship, were in much less serious positions. Their employers had given them good characters and credit for steady workmanship. His Worship was satisfied Hint their cases would be met by admittance to probation, each for i2 months, under the usual conditions.