TROUBLED CONSCIENCE

Evening Star, Issue 19787, 10 February 1928, Page 4

TROUBLED CONSCIENCE

OLD OFFENCES CONFESSED

A troubles conscience prompted Chas. James Witbey, a middle-aged man, to confess to offences committed away hr*ek in March, 1923, and October, 1924, These offences would probably have never been sheeted home had not Withcy, who is a returned soldier suffering from war disabilities, written a confession and sent it to the police. He was brought before the Police Court this morning, and, pleading guilty, was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence.

The charges against the accused wore that, on or about Marrh 29, 1923, at Wedderburu, he wilfully committed mischief hy damaging a window and window sashes of a value of £24 5s 7d, the properly of the New Zealand Government: and also, on October 9, 1924, stole one case of gin, valued at £5 10s, the property of the New Zealand Government.

James Rodger, architect lo the Otago Education Board, gave evidence that ho had received notification on April 4, 1923, of windows being broken at the school teacher’s residence at Wedderhurn. the damage being assessed at £2l 5s 7d. Alexander M. Bennie, invoice clerk at Messrs Milne, Bremner, and Co.’s, gave formal evidence concerning the consignment of gin. One case, valued at £r> 10s, went missing. John Miller, railway goods agent, gave formal evidence also. Detective Russell said that, ns the result of a letter received hy the Rimfnrly police, in which the writer confessed to the breaking of windows and the theft of gin at Wedderburu, witness interviewed accused at Lawrence, and obtained from him a writtgji statement. Tn this statement accused admitted the two offences, and said ho had written the letter of confession. At the time of the offences ho was working at 'Wedderburu. While looking after some cattle for a man one night he had taken a stick and smashed the windows of the schoolhonse. Ho did not know what prompted him to do it; he had been drinking. With ’regard to the theft, he had gone to the (lag station, where the consignment of gin was, and taken one case and hidden it amongst the rocks. He had drunk several bottles, and the rest was still hidden. He was drinking heavily at the time. Wishing to make a, clean breast of it, and not wanting to have any other person suspected of the offences. he had written the letter.

Asked if he had anything to say, accused said: “Nothing, except that I am sorry.”

Accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The matter of hail was adjourned till the afternoon.