FOUND A COAT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 568, 27 June 1933, Page 3

FOUND A COAT

QUARTER CASTE SENTENCED TO FORTNIGHT FOR THEIFT. STATEMENT DISBELIEVED. Tommy Webber pleaded not guilty to the theft of an overcoat from Matthew Henderson, and elected to be dealt with summarily. Senior-Sergt. Carroll said that Henderson had missed his coat from his car and Webber had been seen wearing a similar coat. When questioned, Webber had said that he had found the coat and had worn it so that the owner could recognise and claim it. Matthew Henderson, contractor, of Ngongotaha, gave evidence that he had left his coat in a sedan. car and it could not have fallen out. He reported the loss to the police. He identified the coat produced. Contable Brown stated that he had interviewed the accused, who had made an explanation that he had found th e coat on the Atiamuri Road on the side of the road on Good Friday. He took it home and wore it, thinking that the owner would claim it. Webber said that he picked the coat up1 but had not stolen it. The Bench said that he did not believe defendant's statement. Accused admitted convictions for theft and assault and rohbery, and was sentenced to 14 days imprisonment, the coat to be returned to the owner.