LAWYER’S POCKET PICKED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20912, 18 September 1939, Page 2

LAWYER’S POCKET PICKED

PRISONERS SWALLOW THE MONEY The Contravention Court in Cairo was so crowded on a recent morning that a well-known lawyer who had to defend one of the many inmates of the dock could only find a seat right against the railings of the " cage.” It was a hot day, and wanting to wipe the perspiration from his brow, lie put his hand into his pocket only to find that the handkerchief he had put there before entering the court, had disappeared —and not only his handkerchief, but also his purse, lie complained Lo the judge that his pocket had been picked in court. ” The hearing of the case then before the court was suspended and an investigating officer was sent for. When the ofiicer arrived he recognised one of the. inmates of the dock as an old l'riend who had figured in many pick-pocket- | ing cases. This prisoner was then searched. On ; him was found the lawyer's handker- ; chief, and on the floor of the duck tin* empty purse. The prisoner, who seemed highly amused at the incident, then confessed that lie had nut been aide to resist picking the lawyer's pocket, but thal he and some of his iellow prisoners • had swallowed the money. Subsequent medical examination of the hien confirmed this fact. The lawyer was given back his ■ money in addition to his handkerchiei ajid his purse, and a charge of pickpocketing was added to the list of ; those for which the inmates of the dock were having Lo answer. I