IN BAD COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 196, 20 August 1930, Page 9

IN BAD COMPANY.

MAN CLOSELY QUESTIONED.

CONSORTING WITH THIEVES.

"LIVING ON HIS INSURANCE."

The loss of a wallet on August 8 was responsible for Trevor Cunningham (30), taxi-driver, appearing in the Police Court this morning, charged with assaulting Louis Alfred Cordes, and also with stealing a wallet containing a pension certificate and 10/ in cash, of a total value of £1, also the property of Cordes. Cunningham was remanded until Monday. Alleged to have been with Cunningham on the day of the theft, Cyril Wilford Geary (32), plasterer's labourer, was charged with being idle and disorderly and with habitually consorting with reputed thieves. .

Geary pleaded not guilty to the charge, and Chief Detective Hammond called Louis Alfred Cordes to give evidence. Witness said that on August 8 he went into the bar of a city hotel. While there he was invited'to have a drink with two total strangers. There was a bit of a jostle, and one of them said: "You are a jolly good fellow." When the drinks were ordered, Geary, who was one of the strangers, left the bar. A few minutes later witness'said he found that his wallet was missing. Cunningham, who was charged with the theft, was in company with Geary. Geary, however, never touched him. ' '

Mr: Bryce Hart, who appeared for Geary: Did not Geary say he had gone into the office to cash a cheque?— That was afterwards.

Detective Moon said he knew accused, who had been working up till June last. At that time he met with an accident and had since been living on the insurance. For some time past he had been consorting with a number of reputed thieves. Witness had warned accused about his associates. Accused went- to Wellington in company with a reputed thief and kept company with him there, Accused "was seen,in company with Cunningham on the day that Cordes lost his wallet and was arrested with Cunningham. Acting-Detective R. H. Waterson, of Wellington, said he had kept accused under observation in that city, and had interviewed him and another man in connection with pocket-picking. Mr. Hart: We don't deny that Geary has kept company with undesirables, but wish to show that he has left their company now. •Mr. Hunt: That is because the police chased him away.

Put in the witness box, Geary said he was receiving £0 18/8 a week insurance for an injured chest.

Mr. Hunt: What, were you doing in company with thieves? You seem to be an honest man. —I have dropped them now. »

Geary added that Cunningham had been his foreman on three different occasions.

Mr. Hammond: I put it to you that you're an habitual drinker. —I have a drink like any other man. Mr. Hunt: You'll take out a prohibition order when I've finished ■ with you to-day. Geary said he had received a month's imprisonment for theft in 1924, but added that he had been working constantly since. Mr. Hammond: In constant work! You've been knocking around the city for. the last seven weeks.

Geary: I've been injured. Mr. Hammond: Injured! You've been about the streets up till one o'clock of mornings., Mr. Hart: What are the insurance people paying him for? . ■ Mr. Hammond: That's what I'd like to know.

Geary was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called on within twelve months. jHe was also ordered to take out a prohibition' order.