THEFT OF SKINS.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17533, 15 October 1928, Page 8

THEFT OF SKINS.

ADMITTED TO PROBATION. DELIBERATE CRIMINAL INTENT. A young man named Leslie William Walmsley, farmer, of Whatawhata, appeared in the Hamilton Court this morning, charged with stealing at Waihou on October 7, 05 calfskins, valued at £l9 10s, from William Montgomery. Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., presided., Senior-Sergeant Sweeney said Walmsley had got into financial difficulties lately. While working for Mr William .Montgomery at Te Aroha accused took the calfskins and endeavoured to sell them.

Sergeant Stark gave evidence that he interviewed accused on October 8, and recovered the skins. In his statement accused admitted the offence. He left his farm owing to worry and inability to meet his accounts. He took a car and drove to Mr Montgomery's farm for the purpose of stealing the skins. He told his brother to take the skins to Hamilton, but did not tell him from whence he got them. Mr J. F. Strang, for accused, pleaded guilty. All the stolen goods had been restored to the owner, except ten skins, which were in dispute. Accused was willing to make full restitution. He asked for the leniency of the Court on account of accused's youth and his depressed state of mind when attempting to maintain the farm. He was a hard-working young man with a good character. His Worship said there was one feature of the case he did not like. This was that accused did not yield to sudden temptation, but exhibited deliberate criminal intent. To send accused to gaol would, he thought, be 100 Accused was admitted to probation for 12 months.