MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1106, 20 April 1911, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

+ . ■ ASTONISHING DEED. THE ROBBER AND HIS QUAEEY. SYDNEY STREET AFFAIR. (Before Mr. W. G. Eiddoli, S.M.) Norman Hanson, alia? Williams, was charged at the Mngif-trnte's Court yesterday with assanlting Jamos William Richardson on April 10, ami robbing him nf .£44. Chief-Deteetivo Broberg prosecuted. Accused was not represented by counsel. Onslaught Very Sudden. James William Ifichardsou, piano tuner, Grant Eoart, Wellington, related that, after a business trip to the country ho cashed a checjuo for £11 12s. Cd. at Feilding on the morning of April 10, bought a bottle of beer, and caught tlio train for Wellington, arriving there just after 4 p.m. On the railway station he met a man whom he now knew by the name of Couzens and another man, whom he did not know. The three adjourned to the Railway Hotel, and, after having several drinks there, came along to the Hotel Cecil corner, where Richardson advanced Couzens the sum of 2s. 6d., and then left both men. Subsequently witness made some purchases at a fish shop in Molesworth Street, and then came round the Wellington Hotel corner into Sydney Street. It was then about R o'clock, and beginning to grow dark. What followed ■was very sudden. A coat was thrown over his head, and he received a violent blow on the right temple, and fell on his hands and knees: His assailant then extracted a chamois-bag from his pocket, the bag containing eight ,£'s notes, and some sovereigns. When witness picked himself up, ho found the coat (produced), and lost no time in reporting the matter to the police. Ernest Rupert Couzens, butcher's assistant, 16 Bidwell Street, gave evidence as to meeting accused on the afternoon of April 10. Neither witness nor accused had any money. They went to the Thorndon Station, and what followed after they met Richardson until the time they left him at the Hotel Cecil corner was as told by Richardson. Witness afterwards had drinks with Hanson at tho Cecil, and the Wellington Hotels, and left his companion in Charlotte Street, about ten minutes to G o'clock. Witness saw Hanson again next day, and was with him at the time of his arrest. Notes Pinned Inside Coat. Detective Cameron recounted liow ho and Detective Hammond arrested Manson on Tuesday afternoon, April 11. On searching him they found a receipt for a parcel posted to Christchurch. a steerage ticket for the Mararoa to Lyttelton, and <£1 Ms. fid. in money. Accused gave an authority for tho recovery of Iho parcel, and it was returned to the Detective Office on April 13. Tho parcel contained a coat, a vest, and a pair of gloves. After searching the coat for some minutes, the three £5 notes (produced) were found pinned inside tho fining of the coat. Corroborative evidence was given by Detective Hammond. Robber Owns Up. Accused, on being charged, pleaded guilty, and wns committed to the Supremo Court for sentence. VAGRANCY. John Johnson, who was before the Court on Monday last on a charge of being an idle and disorderly person, and who had then been convicted and given a chance, was charged yesterday with being a rogue and a vagabond. He pleaded guilt}-, and wns sentenced to six months' imprisonment. . BICYCLE THIEF. A youth, named James M'Swigan, admitted that on April 8 he stole a bicycle valued at £10, the property of John C. Sinclair.. Accused was remanded for sentence until to-morrow morning. OTHER CASES. George Harris, alias Gentry, was Drought forward on two charges of tlielt ot boots,, the property of Daniel Coronno. Accused admitted stealing two pairs, valued at 305., on April 13, but denied stealing a pair, valued at 10s., on \pril '•,,H?. wnS:rem nndcd until this morning. William Oughton pleaded not guiltv to a. charge of having assaulted Charles Dunston on April IS. On the application ot Detective Brobcrg, accused was remanded until to-morrow. Bail was allowed in £20 and one surety of £20. Appearing on remand en three charges 01 indecent assault, a youth named George Stuart .Neish was further remanded until April 26. Mr. P. W. Jackson, on behalf ot accused, asked for bail, which was fixed at £i 0 and ono surety of £40. John M'Eachern, against; whom there, were numerous previous convictions for drunkenness, admitted having been drunk on Tuesday, and was sentenced to -'1 days imprisonment, a prohibition order to issue against him. Thomas Reeves for drunkenness, was fined 10s., with the alternative of 48 hours' imprisonment. One. first-offending inebriate'was fined 55., with the option of 24 hours' imprisonment. Another first offender was convicted and discharged.