GRIFFITHS BEFORE COURT.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17815, 14 July 1923, Page 5

GRIFFITHS BEFORE COURT.

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL. John Griffiths, alias Aitken, aged 31, who was arrested in sensational circumstances at New Brighton recently, appeared at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Messrs F. H. Christian and J. H. Seagar, J-P.'s, on four charges, as follows: — (1) On June 18th, 1923, at Burwood, having attempted to commit a serious offence on a girl. (2) On June sth, 1923, at Christchurch, having broken and entered the premises of the Paramount Tailoring Co., Manchester street, by night, and stolen clothing to the value of £S3 os. \ (3) On June 9th, having broken and entered by night the premises of Leslie Middleton Davies, storekeeper, Bealey avenue, and stolen 61b of tea, 81b of butter, two alarm clocks, one bottle of salad dressing, five pots of honey, four tins of egg powder, of a total value of £9 7s Bd. (4) On June 18th, 1923, at Christchurch, having stolen a man's bicycle, valued at £9 15s, the property of Cyril Douglas Peters. (5) On June 19th, having stolen a bicycle, valued at £lO 10s, the property of Kathleen Edith Harrop. (6) On June 23rd, 1923, at Springston, having broken and entered by night the premises of William Mounce, storekeeper, and stolen a JlOOlb bag of flour, three bags of sugar," one pair of boots, one piece of bacon, woollen underpants, two woollen singlets, box . of cigarettes, lady's jumper, two bottles of tomato sauce, two bottles of essence of coffee, two tins of biscuits, one box of chocolates, two towels, one roll of towelling, and four pairs of women's hose, of a total value of £l2. Chief-Detective Cameron, who was in charge of the prosecution, said the accused had accosted the girl in respect of the Burwood case, and attempted a serious offence. Evidence had been found of a struggle having taken place. The accused had been identified by the girl from among ten men. Mr C. S. Thomas, who appeared for the accused, intimated here that a plea of guilty would be entered in respect of the charges of theft from the Paramount Tailoring Company, Mr Davies's store, the store at Springston, and the theft of the lady's cycle. Chief-Detective Cameron said a number of cycle parts had been found under Griffiths's house. Some of the parts of the stolen cycle had been used to disguise the machine ridden by Griffiths. The Bench then ordered the Court to be cleared while the charge against Griffiths of attempted rape was heard. The girl concerned gave evidence as to the alleged assault. Dr. J. E. Thomas stated he had examined the girl, and found bruises on her neck. George T. Robinson, a land agent, gave evidence to the effect that Griffiths took possession of a house at 112 Hawke street, New Brighton, under the name of Smith. He lived with a woman who was supposed to be Mrs Smith.

Senior-Detective Gibson detailed the chase which resulted in the accused's capture. Griffiths's cycle was found at the Bottle Lake Hospital. The same day parts of a cycle were found under the house at 112 Hawke street. Acting-Detective E. T. Kearton said that after his arrest the accused said: "The game is up. I want to clear up everything.'' Later he made a statement admitting various thefts. In the statement the accused admitted the thefts from the Paramount Tailoring Company, Davies's store, and the Springston store. He also admitted taking a motor-car found near Springston, which he used to convey stolen goods in to his home at Brighton. With regard to the Burwood case, he said that he met a young woman on the riad. She told him she had alighted from the gig to recover the reins. He started to talk to her, and seemed to get a good hearing. He said he would like to 1)e her boy, and she giggled and said she had one. He then caught hold of her, but when she protested he let her go and rode away. Griffiths concluded his statement by saying that he could not remember any other offences he might have committed. Mr Thomas said that he would like the Court to take the plea of Griffiths on the major charge at this stage. He would leave the theft charges in the hands of Mr M. J.. Burns. He submitted' that there was no evidence to support the charge. An interference might have taken place, perhaps an indecent assault, but no evidence had been adduced to support a charge such as that mentioned on the sheet. Chief-Detective Cameron said that undoubtedly a prima facie ease had bene made out; if the Crown Prosecutor thought fit, a charge of indecent assault might also be preferred. The Bench held that a prima facie case had been made out. The accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. The hearing of the other charges was then proceeded with. The accused pleaded guilty to the three charges of breaking and entering, guilty to the theft of a woman's cycle and not guilty to the theft of a man's cycle. He was committed for sentence on the four charges in respect of which he had pleaded guilty, and for trial in respect of the other,. as well as that concerning the Burwood affair.

A Case Dismissed. , Eileen Marion "Wells, who had been living with Griffiths, was charged that on July 4th, at New Brighton, she was deemed to be an idle and disorderly person within the meaning of the Police Offences Act, in that she had insufficient lawful means of support. Mr W. J. Hunter appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Chief-Detective Cameron said the | woman had been living with Griffiths at Jfew Brighton since the end of April. He had worked only about a day and a-half. Practically everything in the house occupied by Griffiths and Wells was stolen. Senior-Detective Gibson said that in company with a number of other police officials he was outside the house at New Brighton on July 4th. No response was made when the police called out, so the back door was burst in. Aeeused was in bed. Witness was unable to get much information from her. She seemed to be ill, and a doctor who was called in considered that she had influenza. She was taken to the hospital. She said that she had no money and no friends. Two steamer tickets Were found in the bedroom bearing the names of Mrs Clark and Mrs Griffin. One ticket was from Australia, and the other from Wellington. He also found a number of medals which had apparently been stolen from Melbourne, and a quantity of other articles. Griffiths had deserted his wife in Sydney, leaving her with fo-/ children. The Bench expressed the view that there was nothing to connect the accused with the thefts by Griffiths. Chief-Detective Cameron said that Wells must have known of the habits of Griffiths. Proceeding, Senior-Detective Gibson said he remarked to one of the police th&fc a twyele in the bedroom was a

stolen one, but Wells denied that such was the case. She said it belonged to a friend, but she could not say who the friend was. She said she would advertise for the person who owned it to call for it. G. T. Robinson, land agent, said he let the house to Griffiths under the name of Smith. He knew the accused as Mrs Smith. Mr Hunter said that Wells was more to be pitied than blamed. She was being supported t>j- Griffiths, and there was no proof by the police that she knew the man was living a criminal life._ She was infatuated with him, and it was quite possible that she would believe any story he told her. The Bench: Would it be quite possible for her not to be aware that the goods from the Paramount Tailoring Company were stolen f Mr Hunter: Yes. And the man bringing these things home at midnight and all hours? —Yes. Mr Hunter submitted that there was no ease to answer, but expressed his willingness to put the accused into the witness-box if desired. The Bench asked that this should be done. The accused, who gave her age as 25, said she had been at domestic service for some years. She had saved some money, and decided to come to the Dominion for a trip. She met Griffiths on the steamer coming over, and consented to stay with him in Wellington. Later they came to Christchurch and stayed with Griffiths's sister. They did not live as man and wife there, but on his taking a house at Brighton she went to live with him. She had no knowledge that Griffiths was committing thefts. She understood that he was working at the. Woolston' tanneries on different shifts. She had a home to go to now with respectable people. The accused was closely cross-exam-ined by Chief-Detective Cameron as to her' knowledge of Griffiths's mode of living. She strenuously denied that she knew he had stolen the articles found in the house. The Bench, being unable to come to a decision, intimated that they thought of adjourning the case. Mr Hunter submitted that the accused was entitled to a decision at once. There was no power of adjournment, and if there was a doubt in the minds of the Bench the accused was entitled to get the benefit.of it. The Justice who was inclined to convict should, in the circumstances, waive his opinion. The Bench stated that there was power to adjourn the case, and call in another Justice. ' Mr Christian said he was unable to follow the interpretation given by his colleague on the Bench. His eonscience would not allow him to go beyond a certain point. Mr Seager said he did not think there was sufficient evidence on which to base a conviction. Mr Hunter suggested that the case should be withdrawn by the police. This the chief-detective refused to do, stating that he had certain reasons for his attitude. Mr Hunter said that one member of the Bench /mentioned the matter of conscience' He (Mr Hunter) submitted that it was not a question of conscience, but of the legal evidence put forward. Mr Christian said he did not desire to see the accused imprisoned, but he was inclined to think she must have known of Griffiths's doings. The chief-detective said the police did not desire to have accused sentenced to prison. The Bench held a consultation, and intimated that they had decided to dismiss the case.