Bag Snatching.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1922, Page 4

Bag Snatching.

ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY. I WELLINGTON, Aug IC. For the alleged theft of a handling and £l4O contained in it, the property of Gamble and Creed, on the night of June 12th., James Joseph Wiloughby, alias Wilson, a waterside worker, was placed on trial at the Supreme Court to-day. ' It was alleged that accused shadow- j od Gamble to the tramcar and took a seat behind him. Gamble’s custom was , to convey home the daily takings of the shop. While on the tramcar nccased hustled his way to a seat behind Gamble who laid placed tlie bag on the floor between bis feet and prisoner, it was alleged, snatched tlie bag, jumped off tlie car and evaded pursuit. The evidence of some witnesses was that they were not positive that prisoner was the man seen jumping oil' the car with the bag in bis band and running away. Detectives said the 1 prisoner declined to give any details of bis inovcments on the day of the alleged (Left. When on the car prisoner was dressed as a working man, hut when arrested was well-dressed. After the theft, the empty hag was found oil the doorstep of a house. The wife of prisoner said be came borne partially drunk on the evening of tlie alleged theft. She .-thought ho was sick.

Hi s Honour commented on the fact that the only evidence as to an alibi was given by prisoner’s wife. Accused was found o guilty with a reoominieiulaiion to mercy on account of his wife and family. Sentence was defererd till to-morrow.