CHARGE OF THEFT OF A BICYCLE.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13159, 4 July 1908, Page 4

CHARGE OF THEFT OF A BICYCLE.

* THE CASE DISMISSED. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning, Chas. Harold Jones, 20 years' of age, was charged with the theft of a bicycle valued at £8, the property of A. Kellaway. Chief Detective Bishop conducted the case for the police. Mr Leathern defended. . -**

In order that the case might be dealt with summarily by the Justices (Messrs Thos. Gapes and "VV. Hayward), the estimated value of the bicyclo was reduced to £o.

Evidence was called with a view to showing that the bicycle was stolen by accused from outside the shop of A. Kellaway, jeweller, in Colombo street, on December 24th, 1905, and taken to the Federal Coffee Palace, of which accused's mother is the proprietress. Jones, it was alleged, had sofd the machine to a pastrycook for £1, representing that it had been left at the Coffee Palace four years previously. Detective Kennedy said that accused had stated to him that tho bicycle had been left at tho Coffee Palace by a man, who had told him ho could do what he pleased with it. Accused, who gave evidence on his own behalf, said ho had found that tho bicycle had only been left at the Coffee Palace for two years and nine months, not four years, and ho was only 17£ years old when he had sold it. He was at present employed in a position of trust, and had tho handling of large sums of money.

The manager of tho firm which employed accused gave evidence as to his integrity and honesty.

The Chairman of' the Bench said that accused would be given the benefit of the rloubt, and the information would bo dismissed.