SHIRLEY BURGLARY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1926, Page 4

SHIRLEY BURGLARY

MAGISTRATE COAIPI.TMENTS PLUCKY YOUTH. CHRISTCHURCH, June 23. “[ think that it is timely In make n statement on behalf of the public commending the action of this youth. Geotfrey Pushworth. in attacking accused as he did under the cirrumstunros. Although in cuscil got away, he left i videui c which enabled him to he identilied. The t'liicl-Detect ive has just told mo that accused has a long list of previous i-nnriclions. The action of this youth of eighteen has prevented the property of citizens from being further despoiled.” These words were spoken by Mr If. A. Young, S.AL, in the Magistrate's Court, yesterday at Ihe conclusion of the hearing of a charge of breaking, entering and theft at Shirley against .Joseph John M’Lintoek. Chief-Detective Gibson endorsed the Magistrate’s statement, and added that a passing motorist had refused assistance. M’l.intock was charged with breaking ami entering by night the dwelling house of Harold Rushwortli and stealing £7 10s in money. He was not represented by counsel. Harold Rushwortli, of 21, Golf Links Road. Shirley, said that, he hud a son named Geoffrey. On June 12 lie and his wife retired to bed at 11 p.in. All the doors were closed, but the hack door was not closed as his son was out. At 1.15 a.m. he examined his c.i-h box and found £6 missing. Some money was also missing from his wife’s purse and a bag. His son was with him at the time and they went half a milo down Hie Shirley Po.nl. They found £5 10s at night and 10s a ! ter daylight. The notes found were identical with the missing ones. Accused had no right to enter his house at

the time. Geoffrey Hushworth, a sou of the previous witness, said he was eighteen years of age. Oil June 13 lie vns returning home at a quarter to one in the morning. He noticed a racing bicycle against the fence of his home. ITo went towards tie 1 hack yard anil sow the shadow of a man coining to the bicycle. Witness followed on his bicycle, and caught up with the man within half a mile. Witness accused the intruder of being on the premises illegally. This was denied and witness tried to make the man return. They had a. fight 'and witness got an electric torch, some silver, and a money bag from the man. The intruder broke away at the corner of Shirley and Marshland Hoads, where lie ran. across the paddocks, leaving the bicycle. M ilness recognised the man as M’lJntoek. who was in the dock. t John Suckling, cycle dealer, recognised the bicycle produced in Court as one of his make. He held a bailment over it signed by accused. Detective J. Biekerdike said that- on June 15. in company with Acting-De-tective Stud holm, lie arrested accused at Papanui. M’Lintock admitted the offence, and said that he had had a fight with a man and had got. away. He identified the bicycle ns his property. M’Lintoek had nothing to say and pleaded guilty. He was committed to the Stioreme Court for sentence. Bail was not asked for.