THEFT OF WATCH

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21370, 14 March 1941, Page 6

THEFT OF WATCH

REMOVED FROM BEDROOM TIMBER-WORKER CONVICTED A plea of not guilty was entered by Clarence Levaine Wright (Mr W. J. King), timber-worker, aged 26, of Hamilton, to the charge of stealing a pocket-watch, valued at £l, the property 6f Michael Francis Lynam, at Hamilton on February 28. Michael Francis Lynam said that his watch together with a pouch and belt, was removed from his room in a Hamilton boarding-house while he was having a bath. After the watch had been recovered by the police witness claimed that Wright offered him £5 if he would put in a good word for him in court. Evidence was given by Constable John Mills that when he interviewed the accused the latter at first denied that he had ever owned a watch. After another question he produced the stolen watch and said that it had been given him by a friend. Wright said he knew his story sounded flimsy but it was the truth. The watch had been given him by a friend who was a married man with four children. He did not wish to “pot” this friend as he had shov/n him many kindnesses since he was a boy.

Another lodger at the boardinghouse who shared a bedroom with Wright said he first noticed a watch in accused’s possession about a week after Lynam lost his. “The defence is too thin,” said Mr Freeman, in convicting Wright and fining him £2 10s.