THEFT OF MEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 230, 29 September 1930, Page 3

THEFT OF MEAT.

SUSPECT SENT FOR TRIAL. EVIDENCE OF IDENTIFICATION.

Breaking, entering and theft, and vagrancy were the charges brought against William Knox, aged SS, a cook and fisli-curer, who appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court this morning. The charge of vagrancy was withdrawn, and Knox, through his counsel, Mr. Noble, pleaded not guilty to the charge of breaking and entering the shop of Norman Shanks, and stealing meat valued at 8/6. The manager of Shanks Bros., butchers, ]28, Greys Avenue, Norman Shanks, said that when he returned to the shop 011 Monday, September 22, he found that a wooden bar securing the back door had been sawn through. Behind the door was a right-of-way leading to a window and a door of the shop. Entrance had been gained through the window. The inside of the shop was disturbed and a quantity of tripe, corned beef, steak and chops had been stolen. Ho had seen accuscd in the shop with another man. They had bought nothing, but had made some inquiries and had looked round. "About three o'clock on Sunday afternoon, September 21, I heard noises iii the butcher's shop," said H. 11. McCarthy, who lives above Shanks' premises. "I did not take much notice, because the previous owner had been in the habit of coming back to the shop on Sunday. Later I saw two men leaving the shed at the back of the shop, accused being one of them. I opened the- window and called out to the men. One of them replied, 'It's all right, lad.' Accuscd was carrying a bag on his shoulder, and the other man had an axe." Witness said lie knew accused and had identified him at an identification parade from eight other men. Slater, who arrested Knox, said that when he was interviewed Knox denied all knowledge of the offence. He said ho had been sleeping all that afternoon. After Mr, Noble had entered a plea of not guilty, accused was committed for trial. Bail was refused.