Mechanic: I only stole because I wasn’t paid

A MECHANIC told the Mt Hagen District Court yesterday that he was forced to steal because his employer had not paid him for two months.
Manuel Martin, 27, from Ialibu, Southern Highlands, claimed that OK Panel located along the Okuk Highway near Kagamuga Airport, had not given him his fortnightly pay.
He told the court that he worked as a mechanic for two months with the company without getting paid.
He told the court that he was forced to steal a gear box but denied the other allegations against him by the company.
Police alleged that on March 9, Martin went into the OK workshop at Dobel between 2am and 3am, removed the glass windows from a LandCruiser and removed some parts from the gear box.
Police claimed that defendant worked as mechanic and was put in charge of the workshop when he allegedly stolen the parts valued at K9,050.
Martin was arrested and charged with stealing under the Summary Offence Amended Act.
“I did not steal the glasses as claimed,” he said.
“I only stole a little part in the gearbox.”
Magistrate Lydia Karre told probation service officers to do up a pre-sentence report and submit it to the court before Friday.
She said she would hand down her decision on Friday after receiving the report.
The court ordered that Martin remain in police custody and Magistrate Karre urged him to cooperate with probation officers and provide any information they needed for the report.