YOUNG MAN IN TROUBLE

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17981, 28 March 1930, Page 7

YOUNG MAN IN TROUBLE

THEFT FROM SHOPS. STOLE MONEY FROM TILL. Convicted of false pretences at Wanganui a fortnight ago, James Doyle, aged 27, was before the Court this morning, at Hamilton, to answer the charge of theft of small articles to the value of 33s from a shop in Victoria Street, owned by Elizabeth Annie Hawkins. He was further charged with the theft of £1 5s in money from a shop till at Frankton, the property of Isabella Turner. Accused, who was represented by Mr W. J. King, pleaded guilty to both offences. Senior Sergeant Sweeney, told His Worship, Mr F. W. Platts, C.M.G., S.M., that Doyle arrived in Hamilton about the 14th of this month, and took up residence at a Frankton hotel. He visited Mrs Hawkins’ shop in Victoria Street and stole the articles enumerated in the charge,. which included a wooden stud box, a serviette ring, carved scissors case, book work, a Gillett razor and a clothes hanger. Later accused visited Turner’s shop, and in the absence of the young woman in charge, took 25s from the till. When subsequently the loss of the money was discovered this young woman had to make good the loss. Defendant had been before the Court as recently as March 13 when lie was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called up, on a charge of false pretences. Mr King, in making a pica for leniency on his client’s behalf informed His Worship that it was only within the last three weeks that he had been in trouble. lie had previously held good positions but for the last five months bad been out of work. Ah- King asked that the provisions of the probation act be extended to his client. The case -was stood down in order to permit of the probation officer furnishing a report to the Court. Admitted to Probation. When accused appeared before the Court t.his afternoon His Worship stated that on the recommendation of the Probation Officer he was prepared to admit him 'to probation. The Probation Officer was a little doubtful that this should he granted, however, and accused had had the narrowest escape from a term of imprisonment. He would be admitted to probation for 12 months and ordered to make restitution of the stolen property.