ALLEGED ROBBERY OF JEWELLERY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 121, 30 May 1885, Page 2

ALLEGED ROBBERY OF JEWELLERY.

The charge against John Ayres, watchmaker, Vietoria-stroot, of breaking and entering the shop of Messrs Levy and Hart, in Juno last, and stealing a watch and jewellery therefrom, was taken this morning at tho Police Court, before Messrs Prime and Whitcombe, Justices of the Peace. Mr Williamson, Crown Solicitor, appeared for the prosecution, and Mr Cotter, on behalf of the prisoner. Ayres was charged with stealing on the 19th of June, of last- year, a gold necklace, 8 s.lvor buttons, a silver jug, one diamond ring, one gold watch, and ono gold albert ring, of tho value of £125,. Bemardt Levy, pawn-broker, deposed that he deposed that he was carrying on business in Victoria-street with his partner, Joseph Hart. They occupied the shop, to which there was a oack entrance. On tke 19th of June, on going to his shop, he found two policemen inside. Was rather astonished to find that his place had been robbed. Missed a silver jug, diamond ring, gold ring, and watch. He immediately fell sick, was quite overcome, and went home. The watch produced had been in his possession for many months. Ho knew the number. The watch was not a pledge. The prisoner worked for him as a jeweller, and was frequently in his pawn shop. He knew the back entrance. He knew the strong box, and knew that it contained valuables. He often saw him (Mr Levy) place things in the box. He was an old man, and could net remember every particular. The watch was seen in the possession of young Saunders. Immediately recognised the watch, Saunders said he bought it of Mr Ayres, and when he spoke to Ayres about it, ho said he had bought tho watch over the counter.—Crossexamined by Mr Cotter: The goods were wrapped up in a brown paper. Saw tho watch about a fortnight before the robbery. The articles wero left as security.—By Mr Williamson ; Tho box had been wrenched oil', he should think by a crowbar. The entrance was effected from tho cellar. He should say the robbors were concealed in the cellar, and when the shoemakers and grocers closed their shop 3, the rogues commenced to work. —Emmanuel Mendelssohn, accountant in the employ of Messrs Hart and Lovy, deposed that ho locked up tho shop on the 18th June, and left the premisos with Mr Levy. On tho following morning he found the back outer door open. The lock had been broken from the inside.—Mr Cotter thought this kind of evidence was unnecessary, as Mr Williamson had no ovidence against tho prisoner excepting the possession of the watch. Tho Bench considered that witness's evidonce might be of some importance. Witness then enumerated the articles in the box, and describod thorn from his own knowledge. Did not know the number of tho watch at the time. It was a gold Holherham lever. Had nevor oxamined it carefully.—John Foster Saundors doposod that ho was a tailor in Queen-Btreet. Be knew the accusod, and often did business with him. Purchased a watch similar to the one produced of prisonor, and paid him for it on the Sth December. Paid £14 for it. Ayres took it out of his window. Made a present of it to his son, who had worn it ever since. By Mr Cotter: His dealings with Ayres wore always satisfactory. Prisoner was in Victoria-street, but is now in Wellesleystreet. There was no attempt at concealment, or he should not have bought it. Had got a watch from Mr Levy's. Took it to Ayres, when Ayres ropliod that ho could sell him a better watch at a lower figure, and presented the watch from the window. Told Mr Levy, but did not dhow him the watch from Ayres which he had on approval. Should not think of submitting a watch to a pawnbroker for an estimate of its value, but to a watchmaker.—lsaac Levy deposed :He knew the watch. Had it for thirteen years. He left it with Mr B. Levy for safe custody. Did not pawn it, I assure you.—Mr Williamson: We are quite aware of that.—Mr Levy : Tho watch and other articles wero wrapped up in brown paper. Knew it by sevoral scratches and the number. Was in company with Mr Saunders's son on a Sunday. Ho pulled out the watch to look at tho time. Witness said, "That looks like my watch, which was stolen." On a closer look he saw it was the same. Mr Payne could prove that tho watch was hiß property. Dotective Hughes deposed to arresting Ayres on warrant. He replied, "Don't know anything about it." He said he purchased tho watch over tho counter—meaning the watch ho had sold to Mr Saunders. Said ho had given- £8 for it. Did not know tho person he had it from. No entry of tho purchase. Ayres said both tho purchase and sale should have been entered. Prisoner said if they wero not in tho book, tho omission was through his being on the drink, Found tbo number in a smaller bock, "Watch, 1309, delivered." Found no other articles in prisoner's possession. Found various crucibles under tho shep. Mr Saunders handed him tho watch, and Mr Isaac Levy gave him the number.— Constablo Bowles deposed to the condition of Messrs Levy and Hart's premises on the morning after the robbery. He and another constable remained in possession until after the arrival of the owners. This closed the caso for the prosecution. Mr Cotter then addressed the Bench, and urged that tho prisoner should at once bedischarged without a stain upon his character. The evidence for tho prosecution had complotely broken down. The Bench concluded that the charges had not been proved, and the accused was discharged without a stain on his character.