STORY OF ROBBERY

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 944, 10 April 1930, Page 12

STORY OF ROBBERY

SHIP’S FIREMEN SENT FOR TRIAL ONE ADMITS COMPLICITY “I plead guilty to being drunk and my half of the case—in fact, I'll take the lot,” said Robert Morton after two witnesses had told their stories at the Police Court this morning, alleging that a visitor to a house in Hobson Street had been attacked by two men and robbed. James Daly, aged 34, and Robert Morton, aged 32, both ship’s firemen, were committed to the Supreme Court for trial on a charge of robbing Charles Darke of £5 15s on April 4 and using personal violence. Mr. Noble appeared for Daly, who pleaded not guilty. Charles Darke, a labourer, at present living at SS Hobson Street, said he arrived in Auckland on April 4 at 1.30 p.m. At 6 p.m., witness said, he was in the bar of a city hotel. He had a few drinks and while lie was there the two accused came up and spoke to him. They asked witness to shout for them. He did so, and then left the hotel. His unbidden guests followed, aud suggested a visit to the house of one, Williams, in Hobson Street. All three "went off to the house, and entered the kitchen, which was lit by two candles.

“I took about £0 out ot my hip pocket,” added Darke. ‘'There were then in the room the two accused. Williams and myself. I took £1 out o£ my roll to give Williams the money as he was hard up. Williams left me alone with the accused. Morton put the candles out, leaving the room in darkness. 1 got a bang ill the chin from Morton. Daly came behind me and held my hands behind my back. I fell down.” “Who decorated your eye?” asked Detective-Sergeant Kelly. “Morton,” replied Darke. “As a result of the blows I was nearly out, but Williams came back and attended to me. When I recovered I found my money had gone. All my pockets were turned inside out, and I had lost 15s in silver and £5 or £G in notes. Daly and Morton were still in the room, and f accused them of taking the money. They blamed one another, but did not 'deny or admit striking me.” About 1.30 on the afternoon of the next day witness had pointed out Dalv to a detective. “He is known as cfcook or chick or something,” Darke added. William Henry Williams, a plasterer. living at 133 b Hobson Street, recalled the visit paid by the two accused and Darke to his house on April 4, about 6.10 p.m. “They w r ere all about singing drunk, but they knew what they were doing,” witness added. “They wanted a sing-song because they were Welsh.” After Darke had given £1 to witness off his small roll they had a glass of ale each. “I then left the house,” Williams added, “When I came back, a quarter of hour later, the kitchen was in darkness and X heard Darke call out tor me. I lit a candle and found Darke stretched out ou the floor. His trousers’ pockets -were turned inside out and there were two threepenny pieces on the floor. Daly was sitting on a chair and X said, “What is this rookery here?” Daly's reply had been that he knew nothing about it as he had not been in the room. Darke said, “I got a punch in the jaw aud I’m rooked. They haven’t left me a penny piece.” ACCUSED OF THEFT Witness told Daly to get Morton and find the money or there would be trouble. “He went out and never came back,” witness said. “Just before Daly went Darke accused him of stealing the money and struck at him, but Daly did not retaliate.” Morton had come back later with a parcer of beer bottles and Darke then accused hint of having a hand in the theft of the money, but he blamed Daly. Witness took Darke home, and, returning an hour later, found Morton in bed. The man had forced the door to get into the house. Witness had known him only about two weeks. Ho was living in the house. Morton was not working, and had told witness early on the evening of April 4 that he had no money. "Let him go. I have. a lot to say about it. though,” answered Morton, asked whether he had any questions to put to the witness. Constable Moore referred to an interview he had had with Daly on April 6 as a result of Darke’s complaint. Daly’s explanation was that he liad nothing to do with it. He had been opening a bottle of beer on the bedroom door when he heard Morton and Darke struggling. He had had no hand in the theft or the'assault, but remained seated oh'a chair. Ho had left the house when told to do so by Williams, aud stayed out all night. The constable had also interviewed Morton, who said that Daly had hit Darke and taken the money. Morton had £2 17s 3d when arrested. Some of the money was in the lining of his coat. In Morton’s left boot witness founds 8s lid. "He told me he had the money there to buy some tobacco, in case he was sent to prison,” added the constable. Morton had explained that he got the money on the previous day. On the da} 1 following his arrest Morton had denied committing the assault. 11l his statement he said he liad not seen Daly strike Darke or take his money. According to Constable Haines, he liad searched Daly, finding only two shillings. Witness corroborated the evidence of Constable Moore. Both accused were committed tor trial.