SUPREME COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1930, Page 5

SUPREME COURT

EX-CONSTABLE ON TRIAL

(By Telegraph—Press Association).

CHRISTCHURCH, May 8

At the Supreme Court the trial began of Joseph Reginald Wilson, an ex-Constable on charges of theft of goods from shops in Christchurch. The Crown Prosecutor said possession of goods had been traced to Wilson in this way. It was alleged that ne gave a fur coat to a girl to whom he was engaged. He had disagreed with her and bought it from her for £ls. The girl said- that cutlery was left at her place. There was sufficient 'to stock an hotel, let alone a constable’s house. The girl at first denied that Wilson had given her anything, apparently wishing to shield him, but later she handed over the fur coah. Wilson denied that he • gave any of the articles to the girl, but, her statement that lie gave them-; was corrobrated by her relatives. It was an important point that Wilson was a constable at the time. If he committed a breach of duty to protect the property of tradespeople, and used his position to get access to premises, it was a very serious matter.

Sergeant McNamara said that if a constable found a shop door open he should report it. No report of that nature was made in respect to Liberties, on the night of February 28th. 192.9.

To Mr Hunter—He did not find Wilson off bis beat that night. A constable on beat was timed, and Wilson that night was where he ought to have been.. Witness bad always found Milson a satisfactory constable.