SERIES OF THEFTS,

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18159, 25 October 1930, Page 11

SERIES OF THEFTS,

CHIEFLY FROM HOTEL LODGERS. HUNTLY, TAUPIRI, MORRINSVILLE Basil Hodgson, aged 23 years, appeared at the court it Wanganui to answer the following charges : — l On October 4, at Putaruru, stealing £4 10s and. two purses valued at 2s 6d, the property of P. Price. On October 7, at NeW Plymouth, stealing £6 10s the property of W. A. Gilbert. On September 30, at Taupiri, stealing two National Bank of New Zealand cheque forms, the property of A. S. Howard.

On October 2, at Morrinsville, stealing Bs, the property of 11. MarUndale. On September 30, at Taupirl, with intent to defraud, did obtain goods and money to the value of £4 19s 6d, from John IloWie by means of a valueless cheque. On September 30 ( at Huntly, with intent to defraud, did obtain front W. Manlach goods and money to the vaiUe of £4 19s Gd btf means of a valueless cheque. On October 10, at Wanganui, did steal £1 15s 6d in money, the property of T. M. Louissom ' On October 10, at Wanganui, • did steal £3O 15s, the property of T. H. Rice. A Career of Crime. In outlining the case Detective Walsh said that accused embarked on a career of crime on September 30 at Tauplri, where he stole two cheques and cashed one, and another at Huntly. On October 2 he stayed at a hotel at Morriiisville, and that night stole money from a bedroom. On October 4 he stayed at Putaruru Hotel, and the next, morning while a lady was in the bathroom he entered her room and stole money and purses. He then went to New Plymouth, and on October 6 stayed at the Red House. The following morning he raided a room and stole £6 iOs. On October 8 he went to Wanganui, and on the morning of October 10 he entered the rooms of two lodgers at Spriggens’s Hotel and stole £3O 11s and £1 15s. He was arrested the same morning at Marton. Most of the money stolen at Wanganui was found in his possession, He had been before the court at Napier for theft in 1929 on four charges, and also at Auckland, in 1927, on a chafge of theft. There were two other offences, but not for dishonesty. Unfortunately there was not much to say ih his favour, except that he gave the detective every assistance in clearing these matters up and pleading guilty, thus saving the country the expense of taking him to the various places. Accused said that he was under the influence of drink when he committed the offences.

The Magistrate: “That is extremely unlikely.”

Detective Walsh said that on the morning he was arfestCd at Marlon lie was quite sober. On the Charges relating to Wanganui he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, to bd followed by a term of reformative detention not exceeding twelve months. On the other charges he was convicted and discharged.