ALLEGED THEFT

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1929, Page 1

ALLEGED THEFT

YOUNG MAN AND GIRL CHARGED. [By Telegraph p er p ress Association.J NAPIER, Aug. 12. Robert Forbes' Raverty (twenty-two) and Irene Campbell Pryce (seventeen), who were found by the police a few weeks ago living in a sort of dug-out in a maize paddock a mile from the public road, were jointly charged at Hastings to-day with breaking and entering a store and stealing therefrom goods of the value of £l9. In addition, the male accused was charged with other thefts, with forging the name of G. S. Buckley to cheques for-£2O, £l6 and £l4 respectively. A varied and large assortment of goods alleged to have been stolen made an unusual spectacle in the Court-room. Both accused pleaded not guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Constable Alsop stated in evidence that when accused were found in the dug-out, tbe girl made a statement. She said that on Juiy 11 accused came to where she was employed as a domestic at Waiohiki, and said the police were looking for him. She concealed him in a loft, for two days, and at night he slept in a room next to hers which was detached from the house. She thought her parents suspected something, so she left, but returned to her home on July 22. Later she went with Raverty to the dugout, and was dressed in some clothes of her brother. She admitted breaking into the store with Raverty and stealing clothing, c-hoeolates, shoes and grocerfes. Detective Farquharson said that Raverty had frankly confessed to the charge of breaking and entering in company with the girl, also other theft charges preferred. Raverty had also admitted taking several blank cheques from Mr Buckley’s cheque book when he (accused’) was employed at a station managed by Buckley, and said he filled them in and cashed them. \ —-