POLICE COURT.

Otaki Mail, 31 July 1922, Page 2

POLICE COURT.

c OTAKI—THIS DAY. SERIOUS CHARGES. At the Police Court to-dnf\ before Messrs J. K. Hills ami 11. Xicolson. Jhs.P., two youths, Charles Bennett ami Douglas Shanks, who were last Monday remanded on a charge of theft, were called upon to answer several charges, to wit., stealing from the residences of T. \V. Synnott. of Haw tore, !Mrs A. G. AN i‘reams and Mr Horace Freeman, both of NVaikanae, with stealing a sheep, the property of Mr Victor Waggery. of V niknnao, from the reside net' of Alex Vnderwood, G. Parriugt oil. Hi in Pa rat •. and from a boat owned by Tom Stewart. The articles stolen included kettle, kerosene lamp, heater, blankets, clothes, cutlery. •' clock, caudles, money, rifle, ro\onw, etc. Detective Cullotv stated that the lad'. 10 and 173 years respectively, escaped from the Wernroa Training Farm at a.in. on duly 1-Sili, visited Otaki I and commenced a series of Hiofi*?. \ When arrested they had in their ]»o>session ;t loaded .303 rifle ami revolves*. Both pleaded guilty to charges of theft and were sentenced to a month's imprisonment. On the more serious charges the lads also pleaded guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The following evidence was given during the hearing of tho cases: Thomas William Synnott stated: 1 am a farmer residing at Otaki. Or: }>th duly 1 left home at about 7.3(» a .in., and during the afternoon my wife and family wont out. The door was closed but not locked. We returned home about 3.3 d and found a window and door open, and later missed some broad, a wallet, money, and a peeked knife Detective Oulloty stated: On JMiii duly the two accused were arrested on the Waikanav bench, and on the fallowing day ii<’ interviewed tJuun. and they admitted the present I’hargv, also several others. lie -aw them at the police station. Otaki, nr.d they made a signed voluntary statement admitting the offence. Shankndmittod entering house while Bennett kept watch. Victor AVeggerv* stated he wn & farmer residing at the NVaikanae hea'h. and remembered the 23rd inst. In • sequence of something he heard In* sea relied hm property for the cn reuse or a skin of a --heep. On the 23th he searched again and diseovered a >!:iu ami part of a carcse. ldtteefive Cullotv gave evidence stating’ the bids had mvde a signed voluntary statement admitting the (WeneD. Alexander Fnd<rwood gave evidence that the lad' did break and miter h;< dv. elling hou-e at Puniparaumu : •)-1 sUai articles to the value of £3. On the 22nd .Tidy ho left home about ' '• 1 am:., leaving the door closed but unlocked. He returned between y and 5.30 p.m. and di'Covejed that fin fn had been ransaeke*!. He found he alarm oloek missing, also a nail ' r and other articles, the total value hepr; aimut £3. Defective* Culloty put in a voh:.n*'<;v I statement, signed by the acen*- i. : di mitt iug ?he <*flVnec, Accused phcided guilty, and v<*re - + manded vo 4 ho trupreme <*‘ourt %-r sez*1 ecc*>.