A BURGLAR

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1930, Page 5

A BURGLAR

INTERESTING STATEMENTS

AUCKLAND, November 0.

The remarkable story of a man who burgled a Reniuera house and stole jewellery and then endeavoured to induce the owner to pay him £SO to return them, was told at the Police Court, when Clifford Nelson Double, aged 28, was charged with breaking, entering and theft of jewellery worth £4O also with “corruptly bargaining for a reward in consideration of helping in the recovery of jewellery obtained bv theft.”

Evidence was given by Airs Stapler that she received a letter card in which the writer offered to return the jewellery i'f she made it worth his while. She was to reply through the personal column of a newspaper.

After consulting the Police she replied, and subsequently received several more letters in one of which the writer offered to send the name and address of the thief and enough evidence to convict him of this and other crimes, He also told her that the thief was “a super crook” who was preparing to leave the Dominion with her nronerty. He had the house still under observation and to save herself the trouble she should pay £SO. She offered £25 but heard no more.

Double pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence. Ho also pleaded <ruiltv with a young woman named Kathleen Marley. to obtaining £l4 I}v two valueless cheques.

The Police said he wrote out the cheques and cot Marley to cash them. He was an habitual criminal and was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

Marley was remanded for report. The Magistrate said she had been under Double’s domination.

Tt is understood the Police have bPcui handed valueless cheques discovered the handwriting being the same as that on the anonvmons letter cards received by Mrs Staplev.