Auckland man on burglary charge freed

Press, 6 February 1986, Page 4

Auckland man on burglary charge freed

An Auckland man will not have to face trial in the District Court in Christchurch on a charge relating to a smash-and-grab burglary of a Christchurch jeweller’s shop in the early morning of December 19. Wayne Mareeshah Meehan, aged 18, a male model, had been charged with the burglary of Raynor Vile Jewellers, Ltd, Lichfield Street, from which jewellery worth $6003 was stolen. After hearing evidence from three prosecution witnesses, and submissions from defence counsel (Mr A. N. D. Garrett), Mr R. C. Holland and Mrs A. Hill, Justices of the Peace, held there was insufficient evidence to commit Meehan for trial. He was then discharged. Prosecution evidence had been that Meehan was apprehended in a nearby alleyway carrying a rubbish bag. The bag

contained rings and ring cases, and pieces of broken glass. Meehan told a constable when apprehended, or said in a written statement, that he had picked up the bag after it had been dropped by another person, who also carried two other bags. Evidence was that jewellery worth $59.90 was still missing. No jewellery, or burglary instruments, or gloves, were found on Meehan. The constable who apprehended him had not searched for any other possible culprit. A fingerprint examination of the shop window proved negative. A scientific examination showed no glass fragments in his shoes. These were of a different “refractive index” from the glass from the shop window, according to evidence.