ROBBERY ALLEGED

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21192, 15 August 1940, Page 11

ROBBERY ALLEGED

ATTACK IN STREET CHASE BY CONSTABLE WELLINGTON COURT CASE (By TelegrapTi.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Wednesday Joseph Eric Cornish, aged 28 years, motor driver, pleaded not guilty before the magistrate, Mr J. L. Stcut, to robbery with violence. He was committed for trial. Lewis Bright, a tailor, said he came out of a shop in Taranaki Street about 7 p.m. on August 3 and was assaulted by two strange men, one of whom he alleged was accused. He was thrown to the ground and 19s 5d was taken from his hip pocket. Constable Dickson said that on hearing a cry “police” he went to the scene and found two men on top of Bright. Witness asked what the trouble was and Bright said “they have taken my money.” Accused ran away and witness chased and caught him in Wigan Street. He took him back to the scene. While being questioned and when the constable took out a notebook, accused again made off. When he was caught 100 yards away, the constable heard the sound of coins striking the grating. He pulled accused to his feet and searched for money but was unable to find any. Handed Over to Soldiers The constable said he started to take the accused to the Mount Cook Police Station but as a result of something that happened on the way he handed him over to a number of soldiers. Returning shortly afterwards he found both the accused and the soldiers missing. He saw the accused going into Tory Street with the soldiers and made after him. When arrested accused had 4id in his possession. The constable said accused maintained that he had only gone to help Bright. No evidence was offered for the defence.