"A MODERN DICK TURPIN"

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 315, 2 October 1917, Page 4

"A MODERN DICK TURPIN"

Horse Stealing Charges

At the Papakura Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., Robert James Bryden, alias Woodward, aged 29, "the hero '" of a recent police chase in the Bombay district, was charged with having il) at Drury stolen a mare, valued at £2o, the property of William Cuas. Waugh; (2) having at Hunua stolen a mare, the property of Joseph Quigley ; and (3j having at Papakura stolen a saddle the property of Edward S. Cole. Sergt. Cowan prosecuted and the accused pleaded guilty to all the charges. The accused, it appeared, first secured by false representation a saddle and bridle from Mr Cole. Later developments were detailed in evidence. Joseph John Parkinson, groom employed by Mr Waugh at the Drury Hotel, spoke to accused on September 19th hiring a horse saying that ho was working on the railway and wanted to go to Papakura, where lie had a child sick. Joseph (Quigley, farmer, of Hunua, deposed to meeting accused at Hunua on the afternoon of September 19th. Witness was riding a horse he had bought tho previous day at tho Kuociman sale and he agreed, in answer to the accused's request, to exchange it for the horse accused was riding and to giye him (accused) £1 on the deal. The exchange was ejected and accused said he would call on him later on for the £l. The horse accused handed him turned out to be Mr Waugh's Henry McConnell, whose farm is about six miles from Mr Quigley's, gave evidence as to accused calling at his house about 9.45 p.m. on September 19th and being given a bed for the night. Accused said he was on his way to " Wilson's '•' ftt Paparimu. The next morning accused offered to sell him the horse (since claimed by Quigley', saddle and bridle for £7 and witness agreed to buy. Accused went away saying he was going to " Wilsons " and returned in the evening to complete the transaction Witness' brother heard the conversation and from what his brother told him he mentioned to accused that there was excitement at Hunua through a horse having been stolen from Mr Quigley. Accused, having remarked that it would only be a nine days' wonder, hurriedly left Evidence as to the chase and arrest of the accused on the 21st ult. was then given by Constable Thornell and Sergt. Cowan and a signed confession by accused of his guilt was put in and read. Tho accused was sentenced to one month's imprisonment for stealing the saddle and was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence on the horse-stealing charges.