CHARGE DISMISSED.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19888, 18 May 1936, Page 6

CHARGE DISMISSED.

THEFT OF COAT. “PICKED UP WRONG GARMENT.** Charged with the theft of a Jacket coat valued at £2 and £3O in money from James William Ifeaslip, sharemilker, of Cambridge, Alfred Desmond Primrose, of Frankton Junction, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court today before Mr J. G. L. Hewitt, S.M. Senior-Sergeant G. 11. Lambert conducted the case for the police. Mr J. R. Fitz-Gerald represented the accuse! who pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant Lambert stated that complainant came into town on May 13 and he had six £5 notes in his possession in a wallet in his jacket coat. He went to a billiard saloon to play billiards and took his coat off. When he went to get his coat again it had gone and he complained to the police. Later in the afternoon lie identified the coat on accused, who was in the Hamilton Hotel bar. There was only £25 then in the walletA complete answer to the charge was urged by Mr Fitz-Gerald who stated that accused had met three friends in town, had some drinks ami had then gone .to play billiards. He h id taken his coat off and after the game picked up what he thought was his coat and went back to the hotel. He was never out of the sight of his friends and they would swear that he had not changed any money and that he was genuinely surprised when accosted by the police in the hotel- He said then that his coat, a similar one. must still be in the billiard room and the police found it there.

After evidence along these lines had been given His Worship dismissed the charge.