THEFT OF WATCH

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 623, 27 March 1929, Page 1

THEFT OF WATCH

VAGRANT’S DEALINGS WITH “STRANGERS” THREE MONTHS’ GAOL Not at all discouraged by the fail ure of one story to impress the police, James Cromwell, who was charged at the Police Court this morning with theft, took refuge in the old tale of having dealings with a strange man in a city street. Cromwell, described as a butcher, aged 54, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing a gold watch, valued at £5, from William James Crozier. Charles Chilcott, a jeweller, of Upper Queen Street, identified the watch found on Cromwell when he was arrested and charged with vagrancy last week. It was one that had been left with witness by Mr. Crozier for repairs. “Three days after the watch was brought in, I missed it from the work-board in the front of the shop,” concluded witness. According to acting-Detective Kemp.. Cromwell had first said that he liad bought the watcli in Dannevirke some months ago, but, being reminded that it had not been in his possession on the several occasions that he had been locked up since Christmas, made another statement. His new explanation was that he had bought the watch recently from a strange man in Queen Street. Cromwell had nothing to say this morning and Chief-Detective Hammond reminded Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., that he had sentenced the man to three months for vagrancy last week. Cromwell was sentenced to another three months’ imprisonment, to be commenced at the expiration of the present sentence.