THEFT OF TYRES

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22606, 10 May 1945, Page 8

THEFT OF TYRES

LABOURER FOUND GUILTY OFFENCES AT HAMILTON AUCKLAND. Wednesday A farm labourer, Victor Mitchell, aged 29, was found guilty in the Supreme Court of the theft of six motor tyres, valued at £4B. from the premises of Motor Specialties, Ltd., at Hamilton, at about 5 a.m. on January 24. Constable J. H. Beasley, in evidence, said he was going to the Hamilton police station to commence duties when he noticed a car backing into an alley way at the back of the premises of Motor Specialties. He noted the car number and informed other constables, who proceeded to the scene, but the car had gone. There were no marks on the back door of the premises indicating that it had been forced. Chandulal Nathubhai, an Indian fruiterer, of New North Road, Auckland, said Mitchell borrowed his car on the evening of January 23, for half an hour. He found it next morning parked in a street off Khyber William S. Smith, an R.N.Z.A.F. sergeant, said he saw two men wearing sandshoes in Hamilton on the night of January 23. One of them was Mitchell. Next morning witness left Te Rapa for Auckland and at Pokeno he was stopped by Mitchell and another man, who were standing beside a car. Accused asked for a cigarette, and witness remarked that he had seen him the previous evening in Hamilton. Mitchell’s companion at Pokeno was the man with him at Hamilton. Witness noticed, that the back seat of the car was covered with canvas level with the back of the front seat. Mr Robinson, for Mitchell, submitted that there was not sufficient evidence to establish either of the charges of theft or breaking and entering. The jury found accused guilty of theft, and Mitchell was remanded for sentence.