Tyre thief ‘feared for his life’

The Herald, May 16, 1981

ONE of five men appearing at a Bulawayo magistrates court yesterday for sentence on charges of stealing tyres from Llewllin Barracks, said he committed the offences because of a threat on him and his family’s lives by the receiver of the property.

Bobby Gibson Edwards (26) told the magistrate, Mr Chris Cockerton, he agreed only to become involved because “I did not want to lose my family and my life.

“I did not tell the police because I was afraid, but I can tell the court now because I know I am safe,” he said.

Edwards was convicted on 10 counts of stealing tyres worth about $17 500.

He and Isaac Batch (27), who was convicted on 16 counts involving $19 900 worth of tyres, were remanded in custody to May 29.

LESSONS FOR TODAY

◆ ‘A stitch in time saves nine’. It is always better to solve a problem right away before it becomes a much bigger one. The man in the story was supposed to report the threats that he was receiving before he stole the tyres and landed in court.

◆ Stealing is a serious crime that usually attracts a custodial sentence and no excuse can justify the act.

◆ People should not allow themselves to be bullied into committing unlawful acts and authorities such as the police should be alerted of such individuals especially, those that go to the extent of threatening other people’s lives.

◆ The police are there to protect people from dangerous criminals and those that disturb other people’s peace and as such, they should be trusted to act when called upon to do so.

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