SEQUEL TO MANY THEFTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 781, 30 September 1929, Page 1

SEQUEL TO MANY THEFTS

Two Seamen in the Dock

JOKER ON BUTCHER’S BLOCK

THE Joker from a pack of playing cards, with a knife driven through the centre, transfixing it to the choppingblock, was the sight that greeted the eyes of the manager of a Dominion Road butcher shop when he came to work on tlie morning of September 11. In addition, a quantity of meat and a clock were missing.

There was a sequel at the Police j Court this morning when Charles | Giboin, 25, seaman, and Leslie Robert I Ashfield, 24, seaman and labourer, were charged jointly on nine different counts of breaking, entering and theft. The depredations were alleged to have been committed between August 23 and September 21. Goods valued at £36 had been taken. Among the premises entered were the Missions to Seamen, Navy League, Amalgamated Theatres, Hydra Bacon Factory, British Sailors’ Society Mission, the New Zealand Dry Cleaning Company, two butcher shops and a jeweller’s. Accused were represented by Mr. Noble and Messrs. R. T. Michaels and H. T. King, J.P.’s, were on the Bench. SUSPICIONS AROUSED Arthur Coubray, of the New Zealand Dry Cleaning Company-, Ltd., Howe Street, said his suspicions had been aroused by both accused, who had hung around the premises on September 21. He later watched them from the w-indow of his house near by and saw them take the lock off the garage door and go inside. He immediately informed the Newton police. Constable Bennett said he was one of a squad of police who surrounded the New Zealand Dry- Cleaning Company’s premises about S o’clock on the evening of September 21. Two police- ; men went inside. Witness could see two lights like torches in the building. ‘‘Then I heard a rustling noise at the back of tlie premises as though somebody was climbing the fence,” said witness, “I gave chase over the tin fence and caught Giboin, who was hiding behind a bush in the adjoiningbackyard.”

When searched a hunch of keys was found ou Giboin. Next day a screwdriver and a butcher’s steel were found near the premises. Constable Wilson gave evidence as to the capture of Ashfield, who had also jumped the fence. A torch, a I>earl necklace and a bunch of keys had been found on him. Edward Seagar, manager of the West End Theatre, Ponsonby, said that when he opened the theatre on September 1G he found the door had been forced and the place entered. Eighty gramophone records and other articles valued at £l4 4s were missing. KU KLUX KLAN “Oil the piano was the ace of spades,” .said witness. “It had ‘Ku Klux Klan’ written across it.” When the butcher’s shop of Mr. J. R. Fearon was opened on September 2, it was found that two legs of mutton, a butcher’s steel, apron and coat, a fillet of veal and a quantity of sausages were missing. Evidence was given by other witnesses as to the extent of depredations. Further charges will be preferred against Ashfield this afternoon. The case is proceeding. In statements to the police, the accused both admitted most of the offences. They stated that some of the goods had been sold to a sailor in port. Three further charges of breaking and entering were preferred against Ashfield when the court resumed this afternoon. Goods to the value of £lB had been taken from three suburban shops. In a statement to the police, accused admitted his guilt. Both accused pleaded guilty on all charges, and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.