MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1422, 5 September 1878, Page 3

MAGISTRATES' COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Thursday, Sepxsmbjbb 5

[Before G. L. Hellish, Esq. R.M.I Drunkenness. William Wright was fined 20s.

Laeceny from a DwbililKQ-.—Joseph Harman was charged with stealing a mall, valued at Oi, the properly of George Mapple. George Wain, laborer, identified the hammer as ono which be had borrowed from George Mapple, and left in charge of the barman at the White Hart. The value of it was 9s. Prisoner had told witness that he had the mall, but witness did not give that information to the detectives. Witness got a search warrant, and went with the detectives to prisoner's house, where they found the hammer. Frank Smith, labourer, .deposed that prisoner had employed him (witness) to take the hammer to his house until such time as the owner wanted it. Prisoner was not hiding the hammer. Hugh Dougherty was here called, but did not appear. The case was postponed for his attendance. Stealing teom the Person.—-Margaret Ellison was charged, on remand, with stealing £8 from the person of Kobert Groat. Tho case had been partly heard on the previous day. Helen Anderson repeated the evidence she had given on tbe day before, and continued—l saw Groat give prisoner a onepound note, which she put icto her bosom. He put back the reßt of the notes. Afterwards prisoner came out of the room, and said she was going to buy a shawl. This was about a quarter of an hour after I had left Groat and prisoner together. After we camo back to the house prisoner pushed Groat and ■ me out of the house, as she said sho did not want us thero. I saw prisoner buy a couple of handkerchief?, for herself and tho hat I have on for me. I went with Groat to the detectives. Groat said he missed some notes out of his pocket, and that prisoner must have taken them. Groat did not say how much money he had lost. The detectives searched me in Lewis's house, in presence of prisoner and Groat. I took off my jacket and petticoat. Nobody asked mo to do eo. Detective Benjamin found the money in prisoner's petticoat pocket. I did cot assist in searching her. I don't think so. She was lying in bed with her clothes on, and a little the worse for drink. A purse was taken from her. The detectives accused her of taking the man's money. I did not pay attention to what Bho said. To prisoner—l did not pass the money to you. I met you after you came from tho Court ou Monday, and asked you to go to the Whifco Hart. Groat spoke to me first there. Groat paid 9d for the drinks. We did not go into Smith's then. I asked Groat to give us something to eat, and he gave you a £l, with which you bought some candles and cheese in Howe's store. I did not sav 1 had caught a man and would rob him, I did not tell you to leave the room. You told me to go out. I did not give you money to keep. I did not ask you to buy me a hat as the jpioney was all right. To Inspector Hickson —After leaving the White Hart, we went into Smith's—the Warwick Hotel—where we had a drink each. After we left the Forester's Groat gave £1 to prisoner. I asked him to buy something nice to eat. Prosecutor was not with mo when ho went to tho detectives. He parted company with mo at Howe's store. The two detectives came and took mo back to Lewis'tj. Detective Benjamin deposed —Prosecutor reported to us at tho Theatre on Monday night thai; he hod been robbed. Wo went with him to Harry Lewis's house in Salisbury street' Prisoner was there and a man named Hoßkins, a laborer. The prosecutor said, "That's tho woman that's got the money," referring to prisoner, f told her she was suspected of robbing the prosecutor of £B. She said sho had no(, taken his money. I asked her to show mo her pocket. She was dressed at the tirxw. I found three single notes in her pocket. She said that was all the money she had, and Helen Anderson had given it to her. We left the house with prosecutor, and met Helfi And*rson in Manchester street North. Wo took her back to the hous.e, holding he? hands, sq that sho could not throw anything away. Anderson was much afraid, and ineisted upon taking her dre?s and one or two petticoats off. 1 told her the need nob do that; but sho was under the influenco of drink. Sho said that the prisoner hod the money. I said I had found £3 on the prisoner, who said that was

all she had. Anderson said, " I know sho has it about her somewhere," and unbuttoned the body of her (prisoner's) dress, f then mvw the puree produced, in which was £2 10s Bd. I then arrested the prisoner, and told her T charged her with stealing £8 from tho person of John Groat. Prisoner, who was under the influence of drink, said, "I did not rob him, nobody can prove it.' Anderson said she had seen prisoner take tho money out of prosecutor's pocket. To prisoner You had no objection to ray searching you. To Inspector Hickson—Prisoner was wearing tho shawl produced, and had in her pocket the handkerchief produced. Emily Morgan, saleswoman at Mr Smith's, in High street, deposed to having sold tho shawl produced, a hat, some handkerchiefs, and alio to prisoner, who was in company with the witness Anderson. Prisoner paid £2 5s for the goods. The women took the goods away. Detective Walker corroborated tho evidence of Detective Benjamin. Robert Groat, recalled, deposed that ho had given prisoner only one pound. Ho had given neither woman one pound on tho way from tho Foresters'Arms to Lewis's house. lie did not recollect either woman going into a store. He had an indistinct recollection of all that happened. He had a watch that day. To prisoner—Wo might have gone into a store, but I don't recollect it. The evidence was read over and the prisoner duly cautioned. She said—" I have this much to say, that I am accused wrongfully. Anderson and tho man know that very well. I think it is a concocted thing between tho two." She was committed for trial. Laeceny from a Dwelling.—Tho case against Joseph Hume was then proceeded with. Hugh Dougherty deposed—l know Wain. He left a mall with me on Monday, and asked me to take charge of it for him. I put it beneath tho counter. Fred. Stevens, when sweeping tho iloor, took the mall from underneath, and put ib on the counter on Tuesday morning. Prisoner saw it there between six and seven on that morning, and took hold of it. I said it belonged to a man who had left it in my charge Prisoner said, " I know the man, leave it in my charge, and you tell him that you know my house, and he can get it there." I said, "If you take charge of it all right." Prosecutor came round at ton o'clock, and I told him that Joe had it, and if ho went to Joe's houso ho would get it. I allowed prisoner to take it, thinking lie knew the owner. At this stage Inspector Hickson abandoned tho prosecution, and the Bench dismissed tho prisoner with a caution.