ALLEGED THEFT

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1932, Page 2

ALLEGED THEFT

GIVEN BENEFIT OF DOUBT

WELLINGTON,' May 26

A charge of stealing a policeman’s overcoat was made in the Morrinsville Police Court against a young man, whose name was oidered to be suppressed. The coat was owned by Const.! bio Hodge. Evidence was given that the constable diovo to Patetoiiga to a dance and parked his car near the hall.. On returning to it during the evening lie found that his overcoat had been removed.

Accused got out of a bus at Morrinsville wearing the constable’s coat and carrying his own on his arm. Both were navy blue coats. Accused, in evidence, said, lie went to shop in the bus. When lie awoke, he revelled for his coat in the rack and on putting it on and buttoning it up found that it was not his. He picked his own coat up and approached the driver of the bus,, asking if the coat ho was wearing was the one which had been reported missing at the hall. Tile justices said while the circumstances "ere suspicious, there was an element of doubt, and accused would ba given tile benefit of the doubt. The use was diVmissed.