ALLEGED POCKET – PICKING

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1098, 25 January 1912, Page 3

ALLEGED POCKET - PICKING

CHARGE DISMISSED. At the Magistrate’s Court, Palmerston North on Tuesday, before Mr A. D. Thomson S.M., a charge of having attempted to steal from the pocket of John Murray, at the Foxton races, was preferred against John Morse. Sub-Inspector Norwood stated that he was on duty at the Foxton racecourse on Tuesday. As the horses were about to start for the last race he received information concerning accused, and went towards the grandstand, on the steps of which the latter was standing. Murray was standing on the step lower down, and witness saw accused put his hand into the latter’s pocket. Witness went up to Murray and told him that he saw accused put his hand into his pocket. Murray replied that be did not feel anything. Accused was taken in charge by Detective Sweeney and was brought to Palmerston North. Arrived there accused stated that he wanted an explanation, to which witness replied by telling him of the charge, and saying that it was he who should explain. Accused said he did not put his hand in Murray’s pocket, but merely took hold of the top of the pocket. Accused further said Murray had asked him (accused) what the “long fellow” was doing, to which the latter replied, ‘‘He is watching ; there is some o( this work going on,” indicating what he meant by putting his hand in Murray’s pocket. In answer to a question from accused Sub-Inspector Norwood stated that the former deliberately put his hand in the man’s pocket. Detective Sweeney stated he had had the accused under surveillance during part of the day. He saw accused standing on the second step of the grandstand, with Murray immediately below him. As Sub-Inspector Norwood came forward witness saw accused’s hand leaving Murray’s pocket. After accused had been taken in charge, he said that the man (meaning Murray) was a friend of his. Witness had interviewed accused previously during the atternoon, and he made him turn out his pockets. He had some gold in his possession then. Sergt. Willis corroborated SubInspector Norwood’s evidence. John Murray stated that he had seen accused before, having met him at a boarding-house in . Wellington. He and accused came up to the races at Foxton in the train from Wellington, and witness met accused on numerous occasions during the day. Witness had about .£l2 in his left hand trouser pocket, and a totalisator ticket in his left hand coat pocket when he was standing on the steps of the grandstand. Accused was standing a little higher up. Nothing was said about pocket-picking, and accused made no remark about anyone watching them. To His Worship : Witness could suggest no reason why accused should touch his pocket, and he did not think accused would do such a thing. He had not heard anyone say anything about a “long fellow” watching, although he had heard that the detectives were watching someone. By Accused : They had gone to the railway station at Wellington together in a taxi-cab. Witness did not think accused would steal his money, as he had plenty of other opportunities of doing so had he wished. Witness did not remember accused say: “See the tall fellow standing there, he has just beeu speaking to me.” His Worship stated he could not convict on the evidence. The case would be dismissed.