"A. FRAME-UP."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 142, 18 June 1929, Page 7

"A. FRAME-UP."

HUSBAND CHARGED WITH THEFT.

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WIF?

MAGISTRATE DISMISSES CASE

Alleging that his wife desired ,to gef rid of him, and that./his .appearance it Court this morning was the result of & "frame-up" on her-part, Maurice Corkerv (27),"a polisher, denied a charge of stealing, kitchen utensils and linen valued at £1 17/ belonging to Mrs. Royal Margaret Nelson, on Satui day last. Mr. McLiver represented accused. Mrs. Nelson commenced to , sob., alter she took, the witness stand. On Saturday night, she . said, she, returned, to h.qi house to find the curtains disturbed, and the back door wide open. Several pots as well as some linen and underclothing had been stolen from her house.. She had been told that Corkery had been to her house while she was absent. •" Witness knew both Corkery and his wife, who lived nearby. .... . Acting-Detective Kelly said he visited Corkery's house last night in company with Constable Bowman. Corkery; who let them into his house, denied that there was any stolen property there, aiid invited them to search the premises. He added that what was there had been in the house for months. In the presence of accused Mrs. Corkery said to him: "You might as well coug'li up and be straight, Maurice." Corkery then said to his wife. "You've potted me. This is a frame-up on your part." Witness said Mr.S. Coi * kery then showed him some pots an •the kitchen, and afterwards went upstairs and took some of the stolen linen from a drawer. Mr. McLiver submitted there was no case to answer. Mr. Hunt told counsel that he thought there was, as stolen property had been found in his house. Corkery theu gave evidence. He said he could not have visited Mrs. Nelson's house ,as he went to the football ground last Saturday afternoon, and when the match had finished went to a hotel where, he had several drinks. Then he went home at 6.10 p.m.. had some tea and went to bed. Ha denied being at Mrs. Nel : son's house. "The next morning I asked my wife what time she had returned home the previous night, as she often sneaked out to dances," said accused. -"She has been going to dances "two or three nights a week with another chap. My wife knows something about the stuff found in the house. ' ' She is trying to pet, rid of me so she can have a good time." Chief Detective Hammond: Has your wife been to blame on other occasions when you ?ot yourself into trouble ?—No. When did you come out of caol ?—ln April, after serving two months. Are you working?— Yes, I have been working for the last three weeks. Did you give your wife any of your wages last week? —No. because she has been betting with bookmakers. That's whv T never cave her any. In dismissing the charge against Corkery, Mr. Hunt said that he could not convict him on the evidence brought.