SNATCHING HAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 240, 10 October 1932, Page 7

SNATCHING HAND.

CHINESE AND 10/ NOTE. INCIDENT AT TOWN HAH. MAN SENT TO PRISON. Although charged with the theft of a 10/ note belonging to Gh. Chhi Chen, a young Chinese, on Saturday evening, Edward Clarence Wilton, aged 41, butcher, only secured a small portion torn off one corner of the banknote.

Wilton, in the Police Court this morning, denied the charge.

Chen said he was in Grey Avenue on Saturday iiight, and tendered a 10/ note as payment to enter the Town Hall to see the wrestling. It was 7.30, and .as he was about to hand' the note to the seller in the ticket box a man's hand grabbed it. Witness held tight to the note, and the hand, tugging, pulled a small piece off the corner. He did not see who the man was.

Constables Solly and Graham both said that they saw the hand grab the 10/ note, but they did not see who the man was in the crowd. However, Wilton ran up Grey Street, and was chased and caught by Constable Graham. A scuffle ensued in the street, and Wilton was brought back to the Town Hall. Where the scuffle took place, the small portion torn off the 10/ note was found. When questioned, Wilton said he would not discuss the matter at all.

Mr, Dickson, who appeared for accused, said Wilton did not elect to give evidence. "I submit that because the portion of the banknoti was • found where this scuffle occurred, it is not sufficient to say that Wilton took it."

"Do you leave your case at that?" asked Mi*. F. K. Hunt, S.M.

"Yes," said counsel, "I will have to; my client does not want to give evidence."

Mr. Hunt: Very well. One month's imprisonment for him. We must stop this sort of thing.

Mr. Hunt then reminded Detective Sergeant Kelly that Le omitted to state if Wilton was previously known.

"Yes," said Mr. Kelly. "He was declared an habitual criminal in 1915, and he's been going ever since."