THE PICKPOCKET DETECTIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 148, 25 June 1898, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE PICKPOCKET DETECTIVE.

Frank Ostime, a sub-detectiA-e inspector for over twelve years of the District Raihvay Company, Avas last Monday sent to meet in gaol his accomplices, the professional pickpockets Avho had plundered the pockets of travellers on tlie underground railway under his % superintendence nnd divided the spoils with him. In spite of Lord Coleridge's defence that the letters Avritten by Ostime to tlie convict Perry Avere forgeries, and that Ostime was the victim of a conspiracy on the part of a gang of thieves to remove a successful detective Avho had been a terror to them, it did not take the jury long to make up their miiids, and the Common Serjeant, in passing a sentence of 22 months, expressed his regret that the Avay in Avhich the indictment had been framed did not allow him to inflict so severe a punishment as such a dangerous character deserved. Mr Charles MatheAvs said that the police had evidence that there Avere other persons in gaol able to give very substantial evidence against Ostaime of other misdeeds. The Common Serjeant considered that further steps ought to be taken by the District Railway Company for the protection of the public, but doubtless for some time to come travellers underground will look more sharply after their own pockets.