SERIOUS OFFENCES

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 40, 10 November 1921, Page 9

SERIOUS OFFENCES

THEFTS FROM DWELLINGS I THREE YOUNG MEN PLEAD GUILTY Norman Allen William Beagley appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday to answer to a charge of having on September 28 stolen jewellery, a dress suit, a dress jacket, two table centres, and one revolver (total value JB12), tho property of Kathleen Agnes Hollis. Mr. T. C. A. Hislop appeared for accused, and Chief Detective Kemp for the police. The informant, a widow, living at 57 Central Terrace, said that her sister and her sister’s husband (the accused) had been living with her for some months. Witness left home on September 8 and went to Wanganui, leaving the accused and his wife in the house. On returning from Wanganui on October 20, she found that her boxes had been rifled, and she missed the jewellery detailed in the charge Simon Nausbaum, second-hand dealer, Courtengy Place, said that on September 8 the accused went to him and offered for sale the jewellery produced. He offered the articles one by one, and eventually witness purchased them. The accused gave hie address as Hataitai. After witness had bought tho jewellery ho obtained information which led him to communicate with the police. Mary Nausbaum, second-hand dealer, 127 Manners Street, said that on September 15 the accused took to her a dress suit and dress jacket which she purchased for £2; the accused gave the name of Beagley, and said his address was 71 Hamilton Road, Hataitai. Sarah Brickman, wife of Maurice Brickman, second-hand dealer, Courtenay Place, said that on September 28 the accused took in a cluster ring, which witness bought for -C3 10s. The ring was subsequently handed to the police. Harry Pearson, a billiard-marker, said that about a month ago the accused went into the saloon one evening and asked witness to take charge of a revolver which was wrapped up in brown paper nnd tied with string. Witness was reluctant to take the parcel, but the accused said that the revolver was an army relic, and could not be used. The accused did not return to claim the parcel. Detective McLellan stated that on October 9 he interviewed the accused nt Central Terrace and asked him where he got the jewellery and other goods that he had sold to second-hand dealers. The accused made a statement in which he admitted having stolen the goods. The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.

YOUTH ADMITS BURGLARY. Hugh William Eric Pinfold was charged that on November 2 he broke and entered the premises of Elizabeth Ryan, and stole therefrom jewellery, a safety razor, and £2 19s. 9d. in money (total value .£64); also that on October 31 he broke and entered the dwelling of Gladys Betti, Ohiro Bay, with intent to commit a crime. Mr. O. C. Mazengarb appeared for the accused. Elizabeth Ryan, the informant on the first charge, residing at 67 Holloway Road, said that about 2 p.ni. on November 2 she left heme to visit her mother. She returned in an hour and a half, and discovered that liar hoilse, which she had left secure, had been ransacked. Prior to going into tho house, a neighbour told her something which induced her to follow the accused down the street. The latter made no attempt to run away, and when she got up to him she asked hini what he meant by taking her property. He said he was hungry, and offered to return the jewellery. She took him to a shop close by, where the accused again said he had the jewellery in liis possession and remained quiet until the police arrived. He made no effort to escape. Constable T. C. Dawetaaid that accused admitted to him that he 1 had the jewellery and money in his possession, and witness took them out of his pocket. Detective Holmes, who interviewed the accused at the police station, said that the youth made a statement in which he admitted his guilt. 'The accused pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme-Court for sentence. With respect to the second charge, Chief Detective Kemp said that the only evidence was that given by accused to the police. Ho described tho house accurately, and a key was found on him, but this key would not open tho lock.

Gladys Betti said that tho key produced was not hers. The lock on tho back door, which had been working easily prior to October 31. was found to bo out of order after that date. She missed nothing from her premises. She left home that morning at 8 o’clock, taking her jewellery and valuables with her Mr. Mazengatrb said tho' (accused pleaded guilty in order io have the matter ended. Counsel applied that tho young follow should be allowed cut on bail, but the Magistrate declined to accede to tho request. CIGARETTES AND COCOA STOLEN. Lionel Stewart Adams was charged with breaking and entering the promises of Charles Henry Groundsell, No. 2 Kent Terrace, and stealing therefrom cigarettes and cocoa, valued at 355. Ho was also charged with stealing a bundle of fireworks (value 205.), tho property of Sing on Keo. The informant, a grocer and confectioner, said that there was a stable and storeroom at the back of his premises. The stable was let to a butcher, who employed the accused, and the latter used to bring a honso to the stable." Witness had an idea that someone was stealing from his shop, ’and he communicated with the police. Witness and H’.eley made a search 'of the stable, and found a packet of cocoa, sonio cigarettes, and a bundle of fireworks. Witness identified the cocoa and the cigarettes as his property. Constable Heeler said that be visited the premises of the last witness, and found tho goods mentioned in the charge. Witness interviewed the accused, who admitted stealing tho goods. The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to .the Supreme Court for senfence. The second charge (theft of crackers) was a summary one. and on this he was convicted and discharged.

ALLEGED THEFT OF SAFETY RAZOR BLADES. James Baldwin (for lyhom Mr. J. J. McGrath appeared), and William Kearney were jointly charged before Air. \V. «. Riddell, S.M., with stealing, on October 19, 290 dozen safety razor blades (value i£sB), the property of some person or persons unknown. Chief Detective Kemp appeared for tho police. Last week tho managing director of the Canadian Corporation manufacturing these blades, who was then in tho Dominion, gave evidence as to the blades having been oonslgued - tb Hoffnung and Co.. Sydney. Elie Baronkh, a second-hand dealer, said that on October 19 Kearney called at his shop, and offered to sell some • nzor blades. Witness agreed to buy, and later in tho day the two accused took the blades to him. While witness was examining the blades. Detectives Walsh and McLennan came to the shop. Kearney did all the talking, Baldwin remaining silent throughout. The detectives subsequently took the two men away. Detectiro Walsh stated that when ques-

tioned, Kearney said that the blades were pnrt of a pillaged cargo; but refused to divulge tho name of the ship. Later, however, Kearney made a statement to the effect that ho had been asked to sell tho blades by a man ho met in an hotel. Baldwin had stated that he know nothing about the blades, and that he had just previously met Kearney inj tho street. Detective McLennan corroborated this evidence.

Mr. McGrath satd that there was r.o evidence against Baldwin, and that a prima facie case had not been made out. The Magistrate agreed, and the information against Baldwin was dismissed,.

Kearney pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in one surety oil .£l5O, or two of JE7S each.