MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 7, 3 October 1918, Page 8

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

POLICE AND CRIMINAL CASES

ALLEGED THEFT OF A WATCH

Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court yesterday and dealt with • the police and indictable cases. For insobriety, three first offenders, who failed to appear, were each fined 10s., with the alternative of 24 hours' imprisonment. John Flannagan, against whom there were two previous convictions, was ordered to pay 17s. 6d. medical oxpenses, in default three days' imprisonment. Joseph Nelson pleaded guilty to the theft of two razors, valued at os. and 155., respectively.. The theft took place at Auckland on September 15, when the accused left the place where he was staying, taking the ■ razors with him. One razor he threw into the sea, and the other and 'less expensive one he brought with him to Wellington. The latter had been recovered. On the first charge Nelson, was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon; and on the second he was fined 205., and ordered to refund 155., the value of the razor thrown away, in default seven day's imprisonment. . CHARGE OF STEALING A WATCH: Benjamin Henry Bright was charged with stealing a- silver watch, ■ gold chain and pendant, value £10, the property of Timothy Murray. Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. SubInspector Emerson prosecuted. Timothy Murray, seaman, • living at 12 Ghuznee Street, said that lie called at the New Zealander Hotel jnst on closing time, where lie saw the accused, who was with two oEher men.They had Eome conversation, and witness left after having a drink. ' Later he proceeded to Wakefield Street, where ho again met the accused", who was with another man. While they were talking this other man kept putting his hand on witness's .chain and pendant, and witnes stold him to "take your hands off .my property." After some further conversation the man made away, and witness missed his watch and chain and pendant. The latter, which he valued at 305., had been recovered, but the watch and chain ho had not seen since.

Leslie John Boskruge, clerk, Hataitai, said ho was in Wakefield Street on the evening in question and saw accused, Murray, and another man standing together about five yards up Parish Street from Wakefield Street. The men were ,having an argument. He saw Murray stagger hack as if ha had been pushed. The other two men walked down , Wakefield Street in the direction of Cuba Street. Murray then came 'along and called out that they had stolen his watch.and cliain. One of the men ran off as fast as lie could, hut the accused 'Walked on slowly. Murray joined the accused, and they walked along towards Cuba Street. Witness saw accused throw something over a fence. Witness was close behind the accused at the time. A man named: Beck came along; and witness told him. about .the . fence incident. They went round the Mock, and then joined Murray and accused, and after somo discussion they went to the Taranaki' Street Police Station. On the way the accused kept lagging hehind. They met Sergeant Martin, and witness went lack with him and showed him where the accused had thrown the article over, the fence. They searched the place and found the five-, dollar gold piece, which Murray had identified as his. The men were all strangers to him. ■ John Henry Bonk, a nightwatchman, gave similar evidence Sergeant Martin, of the Taranaki Street Police Station, deposed to the finding of the fivr-dollar gold piece, as detailed by Roskruge. This concluded tho case for the prosecution, and the accused, who reserved his defence, was committed to the Supreme Cmirt for-trial. Bail _was fixed at.£so and one surety of £50.