INSIDE SHOP AT NIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 87, 13 April 1927, Page 10

INSIDE SHOP AT NIGHT.

WOMAN'S STRANGE STORY. "SHE FOLLOWED A MAN IN." "A TERRIBLE PREDICAMENT." CASE REMANDED. j il'.y Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. J A remarkable story was told at the Magistrate's Court when Jane Ann Johnston, married, aged 40. who was found secreted on a shelf in To Aro House just before midnight on Friday, appeared 011 remand, 011 a charge of having broken and entered a shop at night with intent to commit a crime. "We are unable to proceed with the case this morning, and I would therefore ask for a remand till April 27, as J understand next week is inconvenient for accused's counsel," said Chief Detective Ward. Mr. Jackson (for accused): I am sorry for accused's sake that this remand lias been asked for, on account of the fact that she is a highly-respectable member of the community. We have a complete answer to the charge, which is a serious one, and it is a great pity the matter cannot lie gone 011 with to day. ' Counsel renewed his application for the suppression of the name. "This is the first time she lias ever been in Court 011 any charge whatsoever," he said. "Sinis the wile of a highly-respectable business man in this city." Mr. E. Page, S.M.: What do v»u allege? Hole Bored Through Door. Chief Detective Ward: We allege that she broke into Te Aro House and was found there between 11 p.m. and midnight 011 Friday. A tjuanti'v of tools was found inside, and a lnde had been bored through the back <loor. J Mr. Jackson: On the face of it. sir. it seems almost impossible that accused, single handed, could have committed such an act, which could only have been done by one skilled in the use of tools. Mr. Page: What do you suggest she was doing there? Mr. Jackson: I am instructed that she followed a man into the premises. she saw him scale the fence and the yard into Te Aro House. Mr. Page: With a view to detecting him ? Mr. Jackson: Exactly, sir. Man Had Followed Her. Mr. Page: But she was secreted when the police found her. Mi. Jackson: Quite true, because she was really following the man. not that she thought he was a thief, but because ; he had been watching her and following ! her. She decided to find out who the j man was, and when he disappeared into the yard she followed him. She then noticed a hole cut in the door and on peering in saw a light in the building. Strange as it may seem, she then entered through the hole and proceeded to the front door to give the alarm by opening it, but apparently the possessors of • the voices heard her and got out. ! Shortly afterwards the police, arrived and she found herself in a terrible pre- , d.cament The terrible fear came over her that she Mould be charged with 1 unlawfully entering the premises. When iound she immediately told the police , wh.v she was there, and everything she I said was true.

Suppression Refused. Chief Detective Ward: We don't admit iiei explanation is true. Mr Jackson: No articles belong in- to Je Aro House were found on her. > tiange though the storv is, she wis there purely through curiosity. Mr. Page: I am not prepared to suppi ess her name. 1

The remand was granted, and bail u is IVJU'M