CHARGE OF THEFT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1924, 6 November 1906, Page 3

CHARGE OF THEFT.

Before Mr Barton, S M, yesterday Jas. Robert Correll pleaded guilty to having stolen two ladies’ gold rings Tho sergeant said that accused went into tho shop of Mr Seymour, jeweller, on Saturday night, and asked Miss Seymour to show him some engagement rings. Those were shown him, and while Miss Boymour’s attention was turned to another customer, he walked out. The rings were subsequently - found on accused when ho was searched at the lockup. Accused said he did not remember what occurred, aud added : “ I suppose I must plead guilty,” His Worship ordered evidence to be taken.

Mabel Seymour, sworn, said that she assisted her father in the shop She saw accused in the shop on Saturday night. He asked to see some engagement rings. She showed him rings, which ho examined, While he wa's doing so another customer came into tho shop, and witness turned to attend to this customer, accused in the meantime walking out. He said nothing before he left and did not buy anything. After accused left she put the cases back, but did not miss anything ; she had seen the rings produced, and she identified them as her father’s property. They were some of of the rings she had shown acI cused on Saturday night, By accused : How was I when I came into your shop ? Witness: I think you had a little drink.

Accused, when asked if lie had anything to say, replied in the negative, His Worship said that lie would defer sentence. Accused also pleaded guilty on a further charge of stealing two pieces of greenstone, the property of George Smith. The Sergeant stated that the circumstances were similar to those in the last ! gtise, Accused had entered Mr Smith’s

Jfhop to buy a chain, ami had been seen to fake the groonstono in question by a customer who was in the shop at the time. Thomas Kemp, carpenter, said lie saw licensed on Saturday night for the first timo in Mr George Smith's shop, lie (witness) was assisting there. Accused

came in anil asked for a watch chain, and witness eventually showed him sumo chains on a card. Two pieces of greenstone were hanging on the card attached by a siring. Witness turned away to speak to Mr Smith, and when he returned accused said he would take the chain. He did not miss the greenstone till some time afterwards, when he informed Dir Smith, and the matter was put in the hands of the police The greenstone produced was the greenstone missed. I Frederick II iriiy, farm laborer, saw tho I aeoußod on Saturday in Mr Smith's uhop. Tho accused cam a to iwk about sotrio wutoh chains. Flo wui uhowu otisins by I last witness (Komp). Two pit oca oil greenstone wero hanging by u airing over I sho top of iho oard of chains, lU mp wont •o speak to Mr Suiith. Whilo Kemp was I away, witness oavv acousod with tho

grernateno in his hand. Acouscd tiled to hide it in the palm of his hand to prevent witness from seeing it. Accuaed then lift tbo shop. Accused, on his own heha'f, raid ho went to buy a chain, arid the assistant

showed him souis chains, one of whioh he bought with the grnenst.mo attached. Ho paid oithor , ! L 03 or 18s Oi for is. Ilia Worship deferred aontonor, and ro!.Oiir>?od unnnaed till Thursday morning

at 10 o’clock, sn onahle (ho polioo to muko in] Jtrkana in hia ant. oedonts.