BARBER’S THEFTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12619, 2 December 1926, Page 6

BARBER’S THEFTS

PAWNED THE WATCH COMMITTED TO SUPREME COURT FOR SENTENCE. “I can’t impose what punishment is necessary in this case now,” said Mr E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when Charles Gooawell, a barber, aged 45. appeared to answer a charge of breaking and entering by night the premises of Angus Duncan, 102, Lambton quay, and stealing goods to the value of £6 11s. Gooawell asked to be dealt with by the magistrate. Chief-De-tective Ward prosecuted for the police. Angus Duncan, tobacconist, of 102, Lambton quay, told the court ’that he locked his shop up on Sunday November 21st, and left everything secure. The following morning he returned to the shop at 8 a.m. and discovered that it had been broken into. On looking round he found that a number of goods were missing. (The articles were produced in court and identified by witness.) Accused had been working for witness for a fortnight.

Detective McLennan stated that he was sent to investigate the matter. As a result of inquiries he called at accused’s lodgings. He found in his room most of the goods which were missing. He saw accused at an hotel that day and asked him to come to the detective office where he was questioned. At first he denied all knowledge of the offience and made a statement about how he came into possession of the goods. It was later found that a watch had been pawned. This was later shown to accused who then made a further statement admitting the charges against him. Accused, who pleaded guilty, was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.