THEFT CASE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 16, 30 October 1940, Page 7

THEFT CASE

HEARING NEARING CLOSE.

ACCUSED EXAMINED AT LENGTH

(Per Press Association). AUCKLAND, October 29

The cross-examination of Phyllis Olive Barnett, charged with the theft of sums of £996 and £228, the property of Robert Urquhart, solicitor, commenced in the Supreme Court befoie Mr Justice Fair and a jury. In answer to Mr Meredith, accused said that she was 31, and divorced. Tier son was 13 years old. tier married name was Phyllis Olive Brvmont. She was married at Devonport, hut did not live with her husband, who, however, paid her £2 a week, and later 30s a week. At the time of the marriage she was keeping house for Mrs Dempsey, which she regarded as home, and was paid for it. She divorced her husband in 1936, and later kept the books for a coal merchant, and her income roughly Was £3 a week. In February of 1937 she took work in Urquhart’s office, continuing to keep the c]ay books of the coal merchant at odd times for £1 a week when she could get it. When she went to Urquhart’s office she got £1 ‘a week with the promise of an increase. This continued until she lent him £IOO she had won at racing. She won £240 at a trotting meeting at Epsom. She had £6O on Francisco, having saved the £6O foira debt. Accused said that Mrs Urquhart was often in the office, and witness knew she had properties as she had collected the rents.

Continuing to answef questions by Mr Meredith, accused said that at one stage Urquhart sent her a message that there would be several hundred pounds available for her when she came out. Mr Meredith: Out of where ? Witness: Out of gaol. Witness admitted that parts of, the signed statement of confession she had given Mr Beckerleg for the police were untrue. The girl with whom she had been sharing a flat left her on account of a. quarrel. Mr Meredith: Did you lay any charge against her with the police?—Yes, sir. Witness agreed that she had made a charge of theft, but nothing came of it. She also made another ch'arge. On witness saying that she did not wish to harm this girl, Mr Meredith produced an open post-card from witness to her containing certain allegations.

Witness said she had repeated those allegations to others who Avere interested. Nothing happened as a result of these allegations. Brief re-examination of the accused closed the evidence to the jury. Mr Beckerleg submitted that if there Avas any reasonable doubt as to the knoAvledge that Robert Urquhart had of these transactions, then they must find the accused not guilty. An adjournment until to-morroAv Avas taken before Mr Beckerleg had completed his address.