Warm Welcome for "Distant Relative"

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 108, 28 July 1927, Page 15

Warm Welcome for "Distant Relative"

INTRUDER TRUSSED UP trial at supreme court JF Norman Selwyn Connelly had expected a warm welcome upon h«s arrival at the house of “a distant relative,” he must have been somewhat surprised at the treatment meted out. According to evidence given at the •-.upreme Court this morning, he was knocked down and quickly trussed up, arrival of the police. The accused was charged with breaking and entering the premises of Hull Kinloch, 3 King’s Road, Mount Roshal, and also with being unlawfully on premises at night. Mr. Justice Herdman presided. Mr. Hubble prosecuted, and Mr. Dickson appeared for the accused. Hull Kinloch stated that on June 23 he went to bed at about 9.30 p.m., and was later awakened by an un - usual noise. He searched the house, but found nothing unusual. He went back to bed, but was awakened again at about half-past ten. He saw the accused hiding behind a curtain in the front room, and asked him what he was doing. Receiving no reply, he hit accused twice, and, closing with him, threw him to the floor. “HIT HIM AGAIN” A horse cover which generally hung on the porch was spread on the kitchen floor, and the accused was wearing one of wittness’s coats. The accused could give no explanation for his presence in the house. To Mr. Dickson: Witness hit the accused twice, and then threw him on the floor. His sisters brought a light, and one of them said: “We know who he is; hit him again!” Counsel: And you hit him again? Witness: Yes, I did. Counsel: Before the case was heard, did you not give the story to THE SUN? Witness: No, one of the reporters met me in the street, and asked me about the matter. I did not go to thepi with the story. His Honour: What has this got to do with the case? Continuing, witness said he knew that accused had been in gaol. Constable Dunn said that on liis arrival at the house the accused was lying on the floor, with his hands and feet tied. His boots were off. Later they were found outside. COLD AND HUNGRY Accused said he was cold and hungry, and went there for something to eat. Accused was very deaf, and witness had to shout to make him hear. For the accused, Mr. Dickson said that Kinloch’s brother was married to accused’s sister. The accused was extremely deaf. He suggested that, being cold and hungry, accused visited the house of Kinloch, a distant relative, for food and shelter, which he naturally thought would not be derried him. ffis Honour said the case was a simple one, and one which did not present much difficulty. The proof that the accused was at the house with lawful excuse rested on the accused. The plain undoubted facts fro re that the accused was found by night on the premises, and that a struggle etis»ed. Certain articles were found in the kitchen, and a coat was found on him. One could not say what would have been taken had he been allowed to remain. The defence set up was that accused was not there for a felonious Intent, but wai there on a social vl»it. If so, he was so considerate aa to remove his boots before he entered. Probably, added his Honoir, he was thinking of his host’s carpets. A verdict of not guilty to the charge of breaking and entering, and guilty to the charge of being unlawfully on premises by night, was returned. Prisoner, who was to have been only recently released from gaol, was remanded until Monday for sentence.