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Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 166, 16 July 1942, Page 6

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PLEA BY PRISONER

SUPREME COURT INCIDENT

"The Crown feels that there is no merit in the application," protested Mr. S. Cleal for the prosecution, when George "Warren Shilton (Mr. Urquhart) came before the Supreme Court to-day for trial on a charge of the theft of two lumber jackets, and made an application through his counsel for an adjournment to enable him to get a witness he wished to call.

Mr. Cleal said Shilton had been on bail since June 25, and had had every opportunity of getting his witnesses. The case was to be heard on Tuesday, but was adjourned till this afternoon at Shilton's request for time for a witness to arrive. Then Shilton said he would like counsel, and the case was adjourned again, and Mr. Urquhart was assigned to defend him. Now, at the last minute, he asked for another adjournment.

His Honor said the position was difficult for Mr. Urquhart. The Court wanted to do the right thing by persons in a difficult position, but the man had his liberty and a fair chance to get his witnesses. The case must go on.

Opening for the Crown, Mr. Cleal said evidence would be led to show that, observing a price tag hanging below Shilton's raincoat as he was walking along Durham Street West on a Friday afternoon, a constable accosted Shilton. In reply to questions Shilton said he was carrying a lumber jacket for which he had paid 29/6 at a shop. Pressed to show the jacket he disclosed two new lumber jackets, with no wrapper on them, and each carrying a price tag showing the price 42/6. Then Shilton said he had bought the jackets from a man in the street, but would not give the man's name. It was found later that two such lumber jackets were missing from a show case in the Farmers' Trading Company.

After evidence had been given to this effect, accused went into the witness box and said he had bcught the lumber jackets from a man in an hotel bar. Witness was with a friend at the time. The man who sold the goods had them in a suitcase and said he had got them at a left luggage sale. Witness said he had since been unable to find the friend who was in the bar with him at the time.

In cross-examination accused admitted he had been in trouble three times previously for theft.

After a retirement of ten minutes the jury returned a verdict of guilty on the theft charge, and the prisoner was remanded for sentence.