BREAKING AND ENTERING

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21445, 10 April 1935, Page 9

BREAKING AND ENTERING

TWO MEN COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE

John William Laird and Victor Clemence Laird, for both of whom Mr C. V. Quigley appeared, were charged in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., with breaking and entering the boot factory of M. O'Brien and Company, Ltd., and committing theft. John William Laird was also charged with breaking and entering the Sydenham Public School and committing theft, with breaking and entering the Addington School and committing theft, and with stealing a bicycle valued at £lO 10s, the property of Thomas Paterson. Victor Clemence Laird was charged with attempting to break and enter the counting house of Reese Bros., at the corner of Lincoln road and Moorhouse avenue, v/ith intent to commit a crime, and with breaking and entering the premises of J. Mercer and Sons, coppersmiths, of Oxford terrace, and committing theft. The accused pleaded guilty to all charges.

Sergeant L. T. Moore said in evidence that following information received on March 29, he went to O'Brien's boot factory and surrounded it with men. The accused had been arrested while trying to leave the building. Evidence of finding that the Sydenham School had been broken into was given by William Alexander Rumbold, headmaster, and Harry Teague, caretaker. Mr Rumbold said that articles produced in court were similar to those missing from the school. Reuben James Carter, caretaker of the Addington School, gave evidence of finding that the school had been broken into and ransacked, and David McFedries Shirlaw, headmaster of the Addington School, gave evidence that a small sum of money, a pocket knife, and some straps had been missed from the school.

Sergeant Moore read statements by John William Laird admitting thefts from both schools.

Samuel Frederick Wilson, foreman for Reese Bros, at Addington, gave evidence of finding that an attempt had been made to force a door at Reese Bros.' premises, and James Mercer, managing director of J. Mercer and Sons, gave evidence of finding that his firm's premises had been broken into and goods stolen. Acting-Detective N. Thompson read statements in which Victor Clemence Laird admitted attempting to enter the premises of Reese Bros., and admitted entering the premises of J. Mercer and Sons and stealing a number of articles. John William Laird was remanded sine die on the charge of stealing a bicycle, and the accused were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence on the other charges. They were ordered to report daily to the police atjAddington.