BENEFIT OF DOUBT.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18929, 26 April 1933, Page 7

BENEFIT OF DOUBT.

YOUNG SEAMAN CHARGED. ALLEGED THEFT OF BOOTS. Robert James Grigg (24), a seaman, who recently arrived from England, was charged before Mr F. 11. Levicn, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, this morning, l with stealing a pair of boots, valued at 15s, the property of Georg-e Roberts.

Thomas Rhydderch Jones, manager of the Old Men’s Home, Ham Iton, said the accused had tea at the institution at 4.30 yesterday and made arrangements for a bed for the night. At 6 p.m. witness discovered that the accused had left. A pair* of hoots was missing and an old pair of sandshoes was left in their place. He had given the accused no authority to- remove the boots. Constable V. Rolland gave evidence that when he visited the Old Men’s Home last evening the accused was in bed, with the boots underneath. The accused said he merely borrowed the footwear to visit town arid had no intention. Of stealing them.

“ Grigg has been in New Zealand about six weeks and has already been in similar trouble at Whangarei,” commented Senior-Sergeant J. J. Power.

The accused told the Magistrate that at Whangarei he stole a penknife add a fountain-pen in order to buy food. He had had no intention of stealing the boots. Mr Levien observed that the young man’s story appeared to be reasonable and the circumstances were not those usually associated with that type of case. He advised the accused to behave himself in future; on this occasion he proposed to give him the benefit of the doubt. The information was dismissed.