ALLEGED ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5025, 14 May 1895, Page 2

ALLEGED ROBBERY WITH VIOLENCE.

At the Masterton S.M. Court this morning, before Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., George Sandbrook and Patrick Stanton, both young men, were charged with violently assaulting and robbing William Troen of the sum of 13s.

Sergeant McArdle for thoprosecu- v tion said the offence had taken place * in Queen Street near the Catholic Church.

William George Trceu, the conw plainant, gave evidence that he war in the employ of Mr T, D. Thompson. On Saturday evening he received a £1 note from Mr T. Thompson, Remembered being in tho Queen's Hotel and saw both the accused there after 10 o'clock. Left the hotel to go home between ten and eleven o'clock, after being in company with the accused, but could not say whether the men left beforo him or not, When witness got opposite the Catholic Church, someone, whom he believed to be Stanton, called out "Good night Billy." Sandbrook was standing on the edge of tho footpath, Witness walked on about two steps, between the two men, whon ho was seized round the nock from behind, and Sandbrook put his hand in witness' pocket and tore it right out, taking it away with the contenm which amounted to 12s or 13s. Tire rami who held witness by tho throat said "Is it all right?" Sandbrook said " right" and they ran away, Recognised the taller of the accused (Stanton) by his voice, but could not see him, as tho man held witness from behind, Had been in the company of Stanton several times, but never met Sandbrook before last Saturday, The position in which witness was held rendered him helpless, but did not hurt him. Informed Mr Thompson of the occurrence on the following morning. Stanton asked witness what ho meant by stating ho was in his (Stanton's) company, Witness said ho meant ho was in the same room,

In reply to Sandbrook, witness said ho left the Queen's Hotel between ten and eleven o'clock. It took him about tonmiimtes,perhaps, to reach the Royal Hotel, but ho (lid not go in.

Swdbrooksaid lie left the Queen's Hotel at ten minutes to eleven, anjk. i weut homo by himself. K In reply to the Bench, witnoss said he got £1 from Mr Thompson at 7 o'clock. Went to Phillips' Hotel and spent a shilling with a young man named Read. Strolled up tho town and then went to Thompson's Empire Hotel and spent one shilling, the same man being with witness. After that, went out and got tho paper, and stood yarning. Then went back to Thompson's and spent sixpence After that strolled up to the Queen's Hotel, reaching there about halfpast niuo and staying till between ton and eleven o'clock. Thought he spent about five shillings with, different people, but the accused had no drink with him. Had three shillings and sixpence in his possession when begot the pound note from Mr Thompson. The, accused were not in the same roofe as witness. Had about three drhJL at the Queen's, and although he mm. a little muddled, was not too drunk to recognise anyone. Had about 13s in his pocket when ho left the hotel. Knew the taller of the accused (Stanton) by sight. He supposed the accused would know that he worked for Thompson becauso pretty well the whole town knew it. He did not know how the accused knew he had money, but they might hayo seen him spending it. Ho had no difficulty ;in walking; did not require the whole of the footpath. William Redmond gave evidence tiiat Stanton borrowed 2s 6(1 from him about 8 o'clock on Saturday night. Accused might have gono out for an hour without being missed, Stanton and Sandbrook went out at eleven o'clock, and when the former returned, witness noticed he had more silver. Did not see Sandbrook with any money, , T. D. Thompson corroborate Treen's evidence in several points, and stated that Stanton, and Sandbiook had both been in his. hotel on the Saturday, but appeared, to be without money. Sergeant McArdlc gave evidence that be had reason to suspect accused from their behaviour, and subsequently on learning about tho Treen robbery, arrested them. Stanton here stated that ho did not know Troon " from a bar of soap."

His Worship said it was not clear that Hie accused knew that complainant had money on him, hut the evidenco adduced clearly showed that they had robbed him on the evening in question, and that a prima facie case had been established against them. 13oiug asked if they bad anything to say relative to the charge against them, Stanton replied, "I am innocent, Tour - Worship, and knownothing at all about it."

Sandbrook: "lam not guilty of the£t charge, Your Worship! ,? A Accused were committed for trial: at the next sitting of the Supreme Court at Wellington.