MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2846, 10 August 1916, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THEFT OP A DIAMOND RING

Yesterday's sitting of the Magistrate's Court was presided over by Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M. A corporal in the Expeditionary Forces, named Thomas Strange, aged 42 years, was charged with having stolen a diamond. ring, valued at £7 los., tho property of Albert Cohen. Accused pleaded not guilty, and said that he did not know much about the act.

| According to Inspector Hendrey, accused entered a jeweller's shop in Lambton Quay, and a6ked to be shown rings, as lie wanted to purchase one for his -wile, who, by the way, was not in Wellington. He was sliown the goods, and after having asked the pricc of a particular ring, put it on liis finger. He said that he would take the ring in question, and when asked lor payment he stated that he had no money, but he had a banking account at Auckland. Subsequently Strange was asked to give up the ring, and refused. A constable was then sent for, and after being questioned, the soldier denied having taken the article. A search was made, and the diamond ring was found in accused's putties. Giving ovidence on, his own behalf, Strange said that it was the first time ha had been in trouble, and he bad liardly any recollection of the incident, as he was muddled with drink. His Worship held that the oaso had been proved against accused, and fined_ him 405., in default seven days' imprisonment. Ho was also ordered to pay witnesses' expenses, amounting to 12s. An order was made that the ring should be returned to its owner, and .accused will be handed over to the military authorities at the oxpiration of his sentence, provided he does not pay the amount of the fine. . ALLEGED THEFT OF SHOES. A charge of theft of two pairs of women's shoes," the property of Skelton, Frostick and Co., from tlio steamer •Monowai was .preferred against Joseph Garver, alias Gaver, a Bavarian, aged 34 years. One witness was called for the prosecution, and his evidence went to show that the shoes in question were a pair of a number which had been shipped in a case from Christchurch to Auckland. The total value of the goods stolen amounted to £1 4s. After hearing tho above evidence the case was remanded till August 16. On the application of Mr. P. J. O'Regan, bail was allowed accused in j his own recognisance of £20. ! MISCELLANEOUS CASES. ■ j On tho application of Mr. Pi W. j Jackson, who appeared for Joseph j Bouchor, who, it was alleged, did shoot at Arthur Charles Durling on July 22 with intent to do grievous bodily harm, a remand was granted till August 16. Bail was renewed in one sum of £50 and ono surety of £50. Mary Barclay, with five previous convictions against her for drunkenness, was fined 205., in default seven days' imprisonment. A prohibition order, to operate in the Wellington and Hutt ( licensing districts, was issued against hor. William Freeman was fined 10s., in default 24 hours' imprisonment, for insobriety. For a similar offence Henry Sampson was fined 205., or 48 hours' detention.

On a charge of being an idle and disorderly person, Robert ■ Patterson was advised by the Magistrate to "get work," and 'keep away from publichouses. Ho was ordered to come up for sentence when called upon. A remand was granted on tho application of Inspector Hendrey on a second charge that Patterson supplied intoxicating Jiquor to a soldier for consumption off the premises. . Charles Lawson, on remand, appeared to answer a charge of having stolen 268 sparking plugs, of a total value of £53 125., the property of some persons unknown. A further Temand was asked for, accusod's counsel (Mr. H. F. O'Leary) requiring that the amount of the former bail he reduced, as his client had been in custody for eight days already. His Worship concurred with the suggestion, and fixed bail in a sum of £50 and ono surety of £50. MAINTENANCE CASE. Henry Marsh, whose wife was granted a separation and maintenance order last year, was ordered to be sent to prison for three months for failing to keep up tho payments of the maintenance order. The Magistrate gave directions that the warrant should be suspended as long as defendant, "pays £1 per week into tile Magistrate's Court, AVellington. <