MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 191, 2 May 1918, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

A MEAN THEFT \ GERMAN PRISONER'S CRIME Mr. AV. G. Ttiddell, S.M., presided over a sitting of Iho Magistrate's Court, held ycslerdar. and dealt with the police cases. John Guslav Blinn was charged that on or about December 1!8, 1917. at AVellington, he did steal a walch, valued at "s. fid., the property of Nurse Norah Ilolmes. Accused pleaded not guilty, ,'iml cuildncted his own defence. Chief-Deteclivo Boddam, who prosecuted, stated that tho accused was a prisoner on Somes Island, and in 'Decem-ber-January last he was an inmate of tho AVelliugton Hospital for a considerable time. When discharged be was searched liy Iho military guard, and the watch was found on him. Nurse Holmes said she was a nurse ar iho Wellington Hospital, and knew accused, who was a patient at the Hospital for a considerable time in. DecemberJanuary. While accused was in the Hospital witness owned n watch, which .was produced. She left the watch on one occasiun on Iho kitchen table, and some time after sho missed it. The watch was returned to her by one of the military guard about a fortnight nftei sho missed'it. Accused occupied ■, a room just opposite tlie kitchen in Ward 3; Fred K. Weston, guard at Somes Island, know the accused, and was on guard over him while he was in the Hospital. Accused was discharged on January 13, when witness starched him, and iotind the watch in his possession. In explanation he said he had purchased it from a patient who was between 3 and i wards, and paid ss. for it. He did not know the man's name. Edward Upciiurch, guard at Somes Island, said he was present when the last witness interviewed accused with respect to the watch. Blinn said lie had purchased it from a patient. Ho did not know the patient's name, and could not give a description of him. Sergeant Kenny, guard at Somes Island, said that at the military inquiry held at the island on January 23, accused said he purchased the watch from a man in Hospital named "I'venchy. Richard Kondeau, lilt-mau at Hannah's Buildings, said he was of French descent, and may lmvu been called "t?reiichy." Ho was in Hospital from December U to January J, and accused was there at the time. Ho never suld a watch to the accused; he had it watch of his own. He was lame. Detective Lewis said he interviewed accused on tho matter. Minn said no had purchased tho watch from a patient named "b'renchy" lor ss. He described the man as of medium height, dark, and lunie in one leg. In consequence of this witness made inquiries, and Kondeau, the last witness, was tho only one that fitted the. description. . Accused, iii giving evidence, said he bought tho watch for ss. from a man who said he was without means, und asked witness .to buy the watch. In answer to the Magistrate" ChiefDetective Hoddam said the accused had a bad record. Ho had received three separate sentences of five years for crimes. _ Blinn was sentenced to three months imprisonment.

OTHER CASES. David Ignatius I'etterson, who is at present serving a sentence, was charged that on July 11, 1917. he did steal a watch nnd pendant, one chain aud sove-reign-case, valued at £15, the property of William Maynll. On tlie application of Inspector Marsack a remand for v a Meek was granted. Mary M'Carthy wis convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and for using obscene language she was fined 105... in default seven days' imprisonment. George Millar was fined 405., with the alternative of seven days' imprisonment, for drunkenness; one first offender was convicted and discharged, and another ■who failed lo appear had his bail of 20s. estreated.