WORSE THAN THIEF.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18875, 20 February 1933, Page 2

WORSE THAN THIEF.

GUILTY OF RECEIVING.

AGED MAN IMPRISONED. Told that he was worse than a thief because his offence involved the ruin of people who otherwise would be leading honest lives, Frederick Dodwell, 65, watch-case maker, of Augusta Street, Birmingham, was sent to penal ‘servitude for a long term by the Birmingham Recorder, Mr E. W. Cave, K.C. ■At' the Quarter Sessions Dodwell was found guilty of receiving, during the past nine months, polishings and sweepings, a diamond, a sapphire and other articles, the property of Walter Hands, manufacturing jeweller, of Spencer Street, 'Birmingham, knowing the goods to have been stolen. Mr Arthur Ward, for the prosecution, explained that sweepings and polishings in a manufacturing -jeweller’s business were valuable, and fetched as much as £i 7s a pound. The polishings in this case could be Identified by Mr Hands by their colour, the diamond and the sapphire he could only say were of the size and quality used by him. The total value of the articles was between £5 and £6, and they were found on the premises of prisoner by detectives. Dodwell declared, “I bought those at a sale." There had been a sale, and prisoner had bought some lots, but nothing of the kind included in the charge. Prisoner's method of receiving the goods was the worst feature of the case. Mr Hands had employed as a porter a man named Mark Sleigh, who carried out his duties properly until 18 months ago. Then Sleigh was met by Dodwell In the street, and prisoner asked him to get some polishings and sweepings. A Witness From Prison. Sleigh was tempted and . fell, and week after week, though -a trusted servant, 1 he stole his master’s property and took It to Dodwell, from whom he received various sums. Sleigh became a thief at Dodwell’s Instigation, and for what he had'-done was sentenced recently to two months’ imprisonment, a sentence he was now serving.

Evidence bearing 'out counsel’s statement was given by Sleigh, who alleged he took a parcel of sweepings every week to Dodwell. The value of the parcel ■ would he about £l, and he received sums varying from 2s 6d to 6s. Dodwell, on oath, denied that be ever received sweepings from Sleigh or made any suggestion to him. The sweepings found at his premises came into his possession, lie contended, as a result, of a sale of a certain firm’s effects where he made purchases. Dodwell’s history, given by Insp. Edwards, was the record of a -sentence for receiving. The inspector mentioned that accused had been suspected for 15 years of receiving precious metals from employees in the jewellery district whom he met In public-houses. He was a danger to workpeople employed in the district because of the way he endeavoured to undermine their honesty. Owing to his cleverness in destroying the Identity of stolen property, which he melted In a crucible, It had not been possible to prove cases against him in spite of',a number ; of searches at his premises. "Receivers will always receive very heavy sentences from me," remarked the Recorder, In sending Dodwell to penal servitude for seven years.