ALLEGED THEFT.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17980, 27 March 1930, Page 8

ALLEGED THEFT.

EX-CONSTABLE CHARGED. STORY OF A FUR COAT. (By Telegraph.—-Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Thursday. Joseph Reginald Wilson, aged 24, ex-constable, pleaded not guilty this morning, before Ihe Magistrate, Mi Mosley, to four charges of theft from shops while on night patrol in Christchurch early in 1929. The first charge heard was ol thett of a fur coat, valued at £2B, the property of Liberty’s, Ltd., employees of which identified the coat produced. Giadvs Myrtle Johannson, single, said she had been engaged to accused, and the marriage was to have taken place on June 26 last. Accused, who was then a constable, gave witness the coat produced as a wedding present. The engagement was broken off. Witness then bought the coat from accused for £ls. _ Sergeant McNamara said. on tenruary 28 accused was on night patrol on the beat in which Liberty s, Ltd., was situated. , , „ , . „ Inspector Fitzpatrick said that Wien interviewed accused said the gn johannson was a liar. Accused was committed for Inal. Giving evidence in the second charge Miss Johannson said the frocks allegedly stolen from a shop owned, by Fanny McArthur had been given her by accused. Similarly, cutlery allegedly stolen from the shop of Arthur Rose had been left at her house by accused. Wilson was committed for trial on these charges also.