TRAPPED!

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 279, 28 December 1929, Page 6

TRAPPED!

(Special to Telegraph.)

SALESMAX EJXED FOR THFFT. UXESUAL CASE IX CHRISTCHURCH.

CHRISTCHURCH, This day. Charged Avith stealing 22s, tlie property of H. C. Urlwin. Ltd.. Horaee Albert Jav was convicted and fined £5, in default fourteen days' imprisonment, by Mr E. D. Yl.osley iu the Magistrate's Court. Mr MeLaehlan appeared for Jay and entered a plea of not guiltv. Aecusod Avas deseribed as a salesman, wliose age was i'orty-two. Chief-Detective Carroll said tbat TJrlAvin's opened a small sbop in High street, Avhere accused Avas in charge, under the firm's saies manager. He rooeived stock from time to time, tlie business being purely on a cash basis. The saies manager Avas not salisfied with the takings and set a trnp, getting a friend to go to the shop and buy goods valued at 22s. The takings for that day were sIioavu at 10s in the hook and Avhen asked aecusod said that it Avas a true record of ihe saies for that day. There Avas a £5 note kept- in the tili as a reserve fund, and this AA'as also missing. Arnold Sharp. saies manager for the firra. said tliat Jay was employed in the finn's Manchester street shop for six Aveeks before going to the High street braneh. Accused was given striet- instruetions that everv sale must- be entered. On Iavo or three oeeasions Jay said that trade Avas deadly. 8alos nt ihe High Street shop Avero falling off. so -witness deeided to get a fi'iend to make tho test. As a result of the test the poliee wero called in and proseeu timi folloAved. To Mr Ak'Laehlrn, Avitness said that Jay Avas a good salesman. and Avas full of resouree. Sydnev Boulter. a hootmaker. said that he aa-ent to the shon and boughfc goods valued at £1 3s. He offered tAA*o pound notes for tlie artieles, hnt accused said he had no eliange.^ Witness then produeed Iaa'o shillings in small change, Avhich accused said wouhl do. Deteetive J. HaleroAv produeed a statement made by accused. Accused, in tbe box, said that there Avas nowhere to keep money. The till was a portable oue which stood on the table. He sometimes split up the money and hid it in placos Avhcre he tliougbt it would he safe. He forget to enter the saies in the hook. To Chief-Detective Carroll. accused said that he sometimes took all tlie money from the till and hid it round tiie shop. Mr MeLaehlan said that tho case Ava ? hedged round by suspieions and suggested tbat tlie charge might he disraissed. Accused's family Avas very respectable. and tbe ease Avas a most un-fortunat-e oue. Hie Ylagietrate ; Tliis is nol:- a ease for probation. He is forty-tAvo years of age. Accused was convicted and fined £-5, and was ordered to refund tbc 22s. Default was fixed at fourteen days' imprisonment.