MAN IN GARAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 202, 28 August 1939, Page 10

MAN IN GARAGE.

MOVEMENTS WATCHED. POLICE CHARGES DENIED. Pleading not guilty to a charge of being a rogue and vagabond in that he was found without lawful excuse on premises at 221, Great North Road, and with breaking and entering the same premises on the night of June 15 with intent to commit a crime, James Davidson Ireland, labourer (24), pleaded not guilty in the Police Court to-day before Messrs. A. C. Baker and J. P. Mac Donald, J.P.'s, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. DetectiveSergeant Nalder prosecuted, Mr. M. Robinson appearing for the accused.

Twelve witnesses were called, including Keith W. Churchill and Olive M. Hare. The former said that he parked his ear in Valentine's garage, Great North Road, Grey Lynn, and had a key to the front door. Just after midnight on July 15 he drove his car into the garage and locked the door after entering. He and Miss Hare were sitting in the car talking when they saw a man moving about jn the garage. The man wore a leather coat, and after a time left the garage by a back entrance. Later witness saw a man in a leather coat enter Elgin Street from the yard of premises at the rear of the garage. He watched him walk to the corner "of Great North and Commercial Roads, where he entered a car and drove off. The number of the car was 94948.

The witnesses said they did not see the. man's features clearly enough to be able to identify him "at a parade übsequently held by the police. Detective T. Snedden said he interviewed the accused on July 17 when he made a signed statement in which he said he was at a dance and with friends till 12.20 a.m. on July 10, after Which he drove home. He denied that he had been in Valentine's garage, or that his car was near Commercial Road where the witnesses stated they saw it. He admitted lie had a leather topcoat and that he did not wear a hat.

Bui was fixed at £100