HARD-UP LAWYER

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12610, 22 November 1926, Page 6

HARD-UP LAWYER

THEFT OF FUR COAT SENT TO PRISON. “You have made a very long statement, but I will be brief, lou will be sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.” With these remarks Air W. G. Riddell, S.M.. imposed sentence in the Police Court on Saturday morning on Stanley William Roy Chattergi, described as a Spaniard and a lawyer, aged 28 years, who pleaded not guilty td a charge of stealing a grev squirrel fur coat, valued at £25, the property of Rachael Ryan. Rachel Ryan deposed to missing the coat from her residence on the morning of November 16th. Witness said that she had left it hanging behind the dining-room ooor on the previous day.

A second-hand dealer named I. Triester stated that the accused visited him on November 15th. and asked £5 far the coat. The accused stated that the coat had been bought in America by either his wife or himself for 150 dollars. Witness gave him £2 10s, and returned him an attache case, which the accused had previously sold, for the coat

Chattergi, from the witness-box, stated he had bought the coat from a stranger on tho wharf for £3. This stranger had said that the coat had cost 150 dollars in America. Chief-Detective Ward: You were short of money and looking for work at the time, and were in possession of the coat half An hour after it was stolen, according to the owner’s story?—That’s what it seems like, although it’s rather unfortunate for me.