YOUTH ADMITS THEFT

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22612, 17 May 1945, Page 2

YOUTH ADMITS THEFT

PROBATION FOR ONE YEAR “I hope you appreciate the fact that you have an understanding father,” said Mr S. L, Paterson, S.M., to Ivan Thomas Browne, aged 20, farm labourer, of Matangi, in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today. The magistrate pointed out that not every youth who appeared in court was so fortunate and he hoped accused would not let his father down again. Browne was represented by Mr F. D. Robertshaw and pleaded guilty to a charge of the theft of £5 from Ronald Gardiner at Matangi on May 11. Senior-Sergeant H. F. Coddington said it was alleged that Browne, who was employed on his father’s farm, had stolen a £5 note from a room in the workers’ hostel at Matangi. Mr Gardiner notified the store and the post office of his loss and the following day accused was caught cashing the note at the store. Accused made a frank admission to the police. Last November Browne had faced four charges of theft of benzine at Ngaruawahia and the case had been adjourned for six months. Recently he was convicted and discharged and ordered to remain in employment with his father. Mr Robertshaw, in asking for further leniency, said Browne was an excellent worker. His father was prepared to continue to look after him if he was placed on probation. The present lapse was probably the result of getting into bad company. The magistrate admitted Browne to probation for one year, with the special conditions that he should not attend public dance halls, associate with anyone not approved by the probation officer or his father, and that he should continue to stay with his father. He was ordered to abstain from intoxicating liquor.