MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1713, 16 August 1879, Page 2

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday, August 16. [Before John Anderson, Esq , and F. H, Melville Walker. Etq., J.P.’s.] Deune'and Disorderly. —Four drunkards were fined respectively ss, 40s, 40a, and 60s. Larceny. —George Hyde and Robert Bruce Hardie were charged with stealing three thimbles, two packets of needles, and five shillings in money, the property of Theophilue Lightfoot. There was another charge against them of stealing two shillings and sixpence from a shop, the property of Joseph Forbes. The prisoners wore mere lads each about eleven years of age, and each had been twice previously convicted and sentenced for larceny. Tho boys denied the first charge, and the prosecutrix, Hannah Lightfoot, deposed that, on the morning of the 15th instant, about eleven o’clock, the eldest boy, Hyde, came into her shop for a pennyworth of lollies. Witness served him and he went out of the shop, and she returned to the kitchen. Shortly afterwards, hear'ug the till opened, she came back into the shop and caught Hyde taking money out of the tifl. Witness took him to the kitchen and charge! him with stealing the money. She searched him and found three thimbles, two sixpences, and a penny. Thera was about 15s in the till before it was robbed, and witness counted ten shillings in it afterwards. The other boy, Hardie, was standing outside tho door the first time that Hyde came in. In the evening the mother of Hardie came to the shop and gave witness a packet of needles and two shillings, which she said were the property of witness. Mrs Hardie told witness she had taken the money and needles from her son, and asked her not to press the charge against him. Constable Warren deposed that he arrested the prisoners on a warrant, at the same time expleining the charge to them. Hydes said he only stole 63, but the other boy had stolen 2s and some needles from Mr* Lightfoot’s. Hardie denied taking any money, and said it was Hyde that took it. Hyde lives in Peterborough street, and Hardie near Ward’s Brewery. The father of Hyde said he was a very bad boy. He did not steal when at home, but was led away by other boys who were always coming for him. Witness said if the lad were dealt leniently with he would get him away on board ship. He had been previously convicted. Before that time he went to school, but since then they would not admit him. Sergeant Morice said tho boy was tho ringleader of a gang of young lads. Mrs Hardie stated that her son was likewise decoyed away from his home by other boy*. Witness said she did not take the money from her boy, the two shillings were given by Hydes to his mother in witness’s kitchen. Mrs Lightfoot must have made a mistake when she said she received the two shillings from witness. The Bench decided to remand both tho prisoner* until Monday, the second charge not being cone into.