TOOK UNCLE'S CAR

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18916, 3 February 1927, Page 5

TOOK UNCLE'S CAR

NOT GUILTY OF THEFT. CHIEF JUSTICE WARNS PRISONER. [THE PRESS Speeltl Service.] WELLINGTON, February 2. After a retirement of one hour tho jury found William Victor Alley, who was charged in tho Supremo Court today before tho Chief Justice (Sir C. P. Skcrrett), not guilty of tho theft oT a motor-ear valuod at £373 from his uncle, George Alley, a farmer at Katikati. Accused, in his statement to the police, stated that his undo owed him £0 for work done, and as ho was a bit tight about money ho (accused) wauted to get ono on his undo by taking one of his cars. George Alley said tho accused had no authority to use any of his cars. The ono taken was damaged to tho extent of £4O, and several tools were missing. Tho £9 was to havo been paid under a contract which accused broke by leaving of his own accord before tho completion of tho work. "1 think if you knew as much about the prisoner as I do," said tho Chief Justice to the jury after tho verdict was announced, "you would not have arrived at that conclusion.'' But his Honour said he believed that on the evidence the jury had been quito justified in coming to their decision. 110 pointed out, however, that the prisoner's record had been a very bad ono. In discharging the prisoner his Honour said ho hoped Alley would profit by his escape. "It is quito certain," he t>aid,. "tnat unless you turn over a now leaf it will not bo long before you are here again."