ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 3

ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.

TWO MEN CONVICTED.

OVERCOAT TAKEN" FROM

YOUTH.

REMANDED FOR SENTENCE,

In the Police Court this morning Victor Harold Traue, a labourer, aged 20, and Leslie John Walding, labourer, aged 21, were charged with assaulting and robbing George Albert Gourley McClatchie of an overcoat valued at £7. About 6.15 on Saturday evening, McClatchie, according to his story, was introduced to the two accused. Having an appointment later in the evening, and having nothing to do until then, he went off for a walk with, them up Albert Street. "Jock," said McClatchie, grabbed me by the coat, knocked me down, and they then took some of my clothing. I said, 'Let me go and I will give you £50.' They got me on the ground, and Jock hit me with his fist. Meanwhile Victor went off to get a taxi, as I had told them that I was going up to Symonds Street to get the money. When the taxi came along we all got in to go to Symonds Street, to the only house I knew of in town. I thought that if I could get there I could get away from tliem. When we got to the place they demanded more money, and I asked for time to think it oyer. We were walking about the drive when Jock hit me on the chin. I left the overcoat with them and ran away." "Son of a Detective." While they were in the taxi cab the two accused" kept threatening him. Traue, he said, told liim he was ActingDetective Nalder's son, and Jock, who had hold of him by the neck, said he would hit him if lie did not keep quiet. ! While on the vacant section witness had given Walding 3/, which was all he had on him at the time, and tliey said that there would be trouble if he did not get more for them. After he had run away from them in Symonds Street, witness had gone for a constable, who had accosted Traue. Mr. R. A. Singer (who appeared for Traue) : Didn't you tell these fellows you were going to a party and would take them? —No. You went away, leaving your coat on the ground?—No, Jock was holding it. Constable du Temple said that McClatchie had laid a complaint to him and had pointed out Traue to him. Traue was reading a letter, and when accosted admitted that it was McClatchie's. He said that Walding had the coat. Traue gave -the false name of "Trney" and signed his statement thus. In his statement Traue stated: "Jock told McClatchie that I was Acting-Detective Nalder's son, and that he would have to give us money or we would tell the police." Traue said he did not see any money being given to Walding. In a further statement, Traue said he had asked Walding for the overcoat, and had taken it to the Mount Eden police station. Magistrate Concerned. . his statement to the police Walding said that they had gone up Albert Street to a side lane. McClatchie "ot funny. When they arrived at the place in Symonds Street, complainant ran away, leaving the overcoat with him. Asked why he did not leave it at the police station, Walding said he was working, but the constable said that as far as could be ascertained accused did not go to work on the Monday. "As far as Traue is concerned, I submit that there is no evidence of theft," said Mr. Singer.

Mr. Hunt' 1 ! i don't like the loot of this. Assault is a bad thing.

Mr. Singer: Traue never liit MeClatchie.

Mr. Hunt: He helped pull off his clothing, and that is an assault.

Traue, giving his story from the witness box, said they accompanied McClatchie to go to a party. Walding said that McClatehie had got funny, and that was the reason he had hit him. He alleged also that complainant was drunk.

Sub-Inspector Shanahan suggested that the two 'accused had used threats on McClatchie, thinking he would not complain to the police, but this was hotly denied.

Mr. Hunt: You're both co'nvicted and remanded for sentence until Friday.