BETRAYED HIS TRUST.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 3526, 30 December 1913, Page 7

BETRAYED HIS TRUST.

PORTER ENRICHES HIMSELF. The story of a railway porter who turned thief, using his position to further his dishonest ends, was told to Sheriff Lyell, of Glasgow, when a young man named 1 Irving John M‘Corxnack was brought before him on eight charges of theft from the guard's can of various trains. The .articles stolen consisted of jewellery—alberts, pendants, brooches, bracelets, gold rings, sleeve links, earrings, necklaces, and scarf rings, and a sum of money amounting to five shillings and a bottle of brandy were also stolen. McCormack, it was stated by the '‘Fiscal,” was a porter-guard on the Caledonian Railway, being sent occasionally as guard on busy days while off duty. A peculiar thing about the thefts was that they were committed while M‘Cor mack was off duty. He entered the guard’s vans of departing trains, his uniform serving as his passport, and proceeded a portion of the journey. leaving the train before it reached its destination. The value of the jewellery stolen was £136. It had been pledged mostly in Glasgow, and' some of it had since been recovered. On behalf of M'Cormack, an agent was proceeding to read testimonials as to his character when he was interrupted by the Shcrriff, who asked what is the use of sneaking about the honesty and straightforwardness of the man when he has admitted eight acts of theft? His Lordship, in passing sentence, said.that had M‘Connaek not been a guard wearing uniform he could not have committed the thefts. Sentence of fivo months’ imprisonment with hard labor, was passed.