ACQUITTAL ON ROBBERY CHARGE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3084, 15 May 1917, Page 9

ACQUITTAL ON ROBBERY CHARGE

Walter Turner pleaded not guilty to a charge of having robbed, with violence, one Charles Henry Latham. Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for the accused. Mr. Macassey said that a wharf labourer named Latham was in tho bar of the Albion.Hotel about 7 p.m. on February. 28 last. Ho was engaged in argument, and to back up ono of his assertions ho produced a £1 note and offered to bet it. The cecused snatched tho note and Latham closed with him. The barman separated tho two men, and tho accused, still retaining the note, wont outside. Latham ivent after him, and, as he wont out, someone struck him a violent blow that knocked him down. While Latham was on the ground the accused kicked him in the ribs and on the face. A number of witnesses gave- ovidenco on the lines of the Crown Prosecutor's opening statement. Mr. O'Leary said that evidence would bo called to show that Latham, wlio had denied having any dico about him on tjhe date in question, produced dico in the afternoon and played in the Albion Hotel bar. In the evening Turner and Latham played, and Turner lost £1. Then tho intimation was given that tho dico were loaded, snd that Latham was cheating. Turner wanted to , get his money back. Apparently ho got into conversation witli Latham again over a bet. Latham handed him £1. Tumor said: "That's nil right; now wo'ro square." When asked to give the money back Turner refused to. Several witnesses for tho defence were heard. Two of them admitted having lists of convictions f or various offences against thorn. ■ The jury returned a' verdict of not guilty.