MANY CHARGES

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 170, 21 July 1941, Page 8

MANY CHARGES

THEFT ALLEGED

GOODS PILED UP IN COURT

The upper courtroom at the Auckland Supreme Court to-day resembled a country store as of flour and sugar, tea, butter, biscuits, groceries, petrol containers, a bucket and a miscellany of smaller articles were piled on the floor and tables. They were exhibits in the Crown's case before Mr. Justice Callan and a jury in respect of many charges of theft against a Maori, Robert Nathan, 35, of Avondale (Mr. Dickson). Mr. N. I. Smith prosecuted. A total of 29 charges was brought and 28 of these related to breaking and entering respecting 11 different premises. Two alternative charges related to each of five alleged incidents and three alternative charges to the remainder of the alleged burglaries, accused was also charged with being in possession of house-breaking impliments. j Mr. Smith said that accused had been arrested at Henderson by Detective Turgis in the early hours of the morning of June 26. He was in a car, which contained goods which : had since been found to have been stolen, and when later searched at ; the police station was found to have i a stolen key in his possession. He was also in possession of housebreaking implements. | Some of the articles which had been stolen from the various premises were found in accused's house at Avondale and some in his bach at Muriwai, said the crown Prosecutor. Mr. Smith pointed out that there was no direct evidence, out there was a mass of strong circuin-.antial \ evidence against the accused, i Evidence in support of the Crown's allegations was being heard | this afternoon.