ALLEGED PERJURY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2137, 20 July 1907, Page 4

ALLEGED PERJURY.

A BEER-STEALING CASE. ACCUSED COMMITTED FOR TRIAL William Charles Whitfield was charged at- tho S.M. Court yesterday, with having eommittted perjury in a recent court case, by having, on oath, denied admitting to one Willim Cooper McLean that he had stolen a case of beer. Detective Maddern conducted the prosecution and Mr. Coleman appeared for the accused, who pleaded “Not guilty.” George Chisholm, deputy clerk in the S.M. Court, said that he was present in Court on April loth last, when accused was charged with stealing a case of beer, valued at £2 16s, the property of Common Shelton and Co. Witness produced the information upon which he was charged, also the "criminal record book containing an entry. The accused had elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded not guilty, and was defended by counsel, Mr. Bright. The accused ‘ was duly sworn and gave evidence on his own behalf. Detective Maddern deposed that lie had appeared on behalf of the police on April loth when accused was charged. After the evidence for the prosecution, accused was ashed whether lie wished- to make a statement, give evidenece or had any witnesses to call. He elected to give evidence and was duly sworn. Under crossexamination on the same occasion witness asked him “Did you not go to Mr. McLean, at Common Shelton and Co’s, on April 5, and admit stealing the case of beer?” Accused’s reply was “I never admitted to Mr. McLean stealing the beer.” Witness next asked accused “Did you not go there with the mail Hepburn and admit stealing the beer, and ask Mr. McLean to go over and look at it as you would pay for if?” Accused answered: “I never admitted stealing it to anyone.” The charge was heard before Mr. Barton, S.M.

Constable Wales gave corroborative evidence. Ho had arrested accused on the charge of the theft. William Cooper McLean, manager of the goods department for Common Shelton, and Co., deposed that he know the accused, who had been employed by the firm for a few weeks in March" and April. A case of beer was stolen from the premises and on tli i following Saturday accused, accompanied by a carter named Hepburn, came up to witness. Hepburn said “Wo have decided to tell you the truth about the beer. Wo stole it.” Whitfield bore out this statement, saying, “We took the beer. My boy will be down at 12 o’clock and 1 will pay you for it. Will you fix things up so there will be nothing more about it?” Witness replied that the police liad the matter in band and lie could do nothing for him. Cross-examined by Mr. Coleman: Hepburn did not say anything about paying for the beer. 1 did not regard it) that Whitfield offered to pay for the beer to get Hepburn out of trouble. Accused’s words were “Wc took tlio boor.”

Alfred Edward Hepburn said that lie .wont with accused to speak to Mr. McLean about the stolen case of beer. This was prior to accused’s arrest, but on the same day. In the interview with Mr. McLean accused said, “I took the case of beer, and will send the boy down in the afternoon to pay for it.” Witness made the remai'k that: ho had never seen ‘Whitfield or bis beer. Mr. McLean told tho accused to put on bis coat and go. This concluded the evidence.

Accused reserved his defence and was committed for trial at the next criminal sessions, to be held at Gisborne on Sept 19th. Bail was allowed in accused’s own bond of £SO, and two of £25.