CONVICT’S CONFESSIONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 831, 26 April 1910, Page 4

CONVICT’S CONFESSIONS.

TELLS OF MANY BURGLARIES. A convict serving a term of five years’ penal servitude for housebreaking, was the principal witness at North London against Joseph Grizzard, 42, diamond merchant, and Samuel Barnett, 50, jeweller, both of Parkholm Road, Dalstou, who were charged with stealing and receiving two diamond rings valued at the property ot Mrs Maud Mary Reed, wife of an electrical engineer, residing at a flat in Prudential Buildings, North Street, Brighton.

Barnett stands committed for trial for receiving the proceeds of a burglary at London Road, Forest Hill, about fourteen mouths ago. Grizzard became his'bail in but Barnett absconded. He was, however, arrested at Grizzard’s house, and the latter was committed for trial for harbouring him. Arthur Deuville Sasson Collinson, a convict, now at Dartmoor, said he knew Grizzard and Barnett as receivers of stolen property. For six months prior to his arrest in 1908 he was engaged doing various “jobs”—breaking into flats. He sold all the jewellery to Barnett. On one occasion he saw the two together. One Saturday in 1908 he broke into a flat at London Road, Forest Hill, and sold the whole of the proceeds, including a brown leather bag, which was now produced, to Barnett. Collinson said he had made a statement to the police concerning this bag before he saw it in their possession. Collinson added that he knew Brighton fairly well. He had broken into two flats there. One was in Prudential Buildings. He stole from this flat three diamond rings and other articles. He sold the rings to Barnett. In cross-examination. Collinson said that he had been convicted four times previously. There were two summary convictions, and two cases of penal servitude. He was released iu 1907. Mr Margette (defending): You have made several statements to the police ?—Yes. I probably shall make some more.

With what object?—l thought it might interest Scotland Yard, and expose some people. You anticipated a remission of your sentence ? —No, I did not. During your previous term of penal servitude you made a statement ?—Yes.

And obtained a remission of part of your sentence ?—No, not a day. You did it from pure love of justice ?—Yes, Mr Margette said that the accused would plead not guilty, and reserve their defence. They were theu -'unmitted for trM, Grizzard being allowed bail 1 vo sureties of each.