ALLEGED THEFT.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 717, 13 January 1903, Page 1

ALLEGED THEFT.

At tho Police Court yesterday John Peter Evans was committed for trial on a

charge of stealing £2 from the 'person of John Wilson, on December 20. Mr L.

Rees appearod for the defence. John Wilson, laborer, Waihuka station, stated he came to town on Christmas Eve.

On his way down he cashed a cheque for £4 17s at the Karaka. He had £4 12s when ho arrived in Gisborne. On Boxing Day he had about £4. That was in the morning. Witness met a few friends in town, and got “ muddled up.” He had no recollection of meeting accused.

Tho purse produced was his. He was almost certain ho did not give his purse to anybody. By Mr Rees: Witness may havo had drinks with accused. Ho had no reisol-

lection of saying to accused that ho could havo as much money as ho liked from him. Dc was almost certain ho did not say this, Wilholm Thoodoro Larson, hotelkcopor, Gisborne, stated that ho saw accused and witness in his hotel on December 26th. Accused did not appear to bo under the influence of liquor, but seomod to bo stupid, and was sitting in a chair. Witness saw accused with a purse in his hand standing by Wilson. Witness said to accused, “What are you doing with that i 1 Do you know anything of the man '/ Accused replied, " No, but he’s a great friend of my brother’s,” Witness said, “Is that how you treat your brother’s friends ? You put his belongings back whero you took them from,” Accusod did this, putting back tho purso which ho hold in his hand. Witness then said to accusod, “ You got away.” Accused was perfectly sober. Wilson and accused camo in at the samo time. There seemed to bo nothing wroug with either of them, but Wilson sat down aud seemed in a stupor. Accused asked Wilson to leave, and Wilson got up and left tho hotel with him. Witness then informed Detective Nixon and Constable Crawford. By Mr Bees : Witness did not see accused take anything from Wilson, but saw him standing with the purse in his

land. Detective G. H. Nixon stated that in lonsequence of what Mr Larsen said, witless followed accused and Wilson out of ihe hotel. Witness left by the private mtrance, and accused and Wilson by the aublic way. When witness reached the street ho saw accused and Wilson 20 yards ahead of him going towards Gladstone road. Constable Crawford and witness followed to see who they were. When accused and Wilson reached the passage way which leads to the rear of Mr May. nard’s premises, accused who was on the outside, wheeled Wilson. They disappeared from view. Witness walked up and just as he got to the passage way accused appeared running He held his hand in his left-hand trousers pocket, and ran towards Gladstone road. Witness overtook him, and asked “ What have you not in that pocket ?” Accused replied : ° It’s all right. I’ve got a purse and money belonging to a friend of mine.” Witness withdrew accused’s hand from his pocket and found the purse produced, which coutained a £1 note and one shilling. Witness said to accused : “ Come and see what your friend has to say about

it.” They went to the passage way, wnere Wilson was leaning up against a tank. Wilson denied giving the purse to accused, and when shown it said “ That is my purse and money. That man robbed me of it.” ' When searched at the Police Station i accused had 225, in silver on him. When accused saw the silver counted he said, 11 Eigbteenpcnea of that is mine. I had no intention of robbing the man.” Accused was sober, but Wilson appeared to be stupid. By Mr Bees: Witness wou'd have arrested accused even if Wilson had not denied giving the purse to him, owing to what he had heard.-' . Constable Crawford gave corroborative evidence. ' Mr lieej contended that the evidence against accused was not sufficient to send the case to a jury. His Worship committed accused to stand his trial at the nest sittings of the Supreme Court, bail being fixed as before.