JEWELLERY THEFT

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29802, 19 April 1962, Page 8

JEWELLERY THEFT

One Accused Admits Charge (NJS. Press Association) DUNEDIN, April 18. Charged ’with the theft of £2534 of watches, rings, brooches and bracelets from C. G. Richardson’s shop in Balclutha, Alan Roger Ludlow, aged 26, and Michael Joseph McLennan, aged 22, both workmen, appeared in the Magistrate's Court at Dunedin today. Ludlow, who pleaded guilty, was remanded until April 30 for sentence.

Mr M. M. JOchell for McLennan, asked for an adjournment until the same date. He said McLennan would be pleading not guilty but might elect trial by jury. Mr J. D. Willis, S.M., granted the adjournment, and McLennan was remanded in custody. Outlining the charge against Ludlow, Detective Sergeant J. A. McCarthy said that entry to the shop had been gained by breaking the louvre windows at the rear of the shop. The jewellery was taken from display cabinets. A few pieces were found on a vacant lot near the shop. Interviewed by Detective Sergeant J. D. Meates, Ludlow admitted entering the shop with another man in the early hours of April 3. He took the police to a vacant section in Caversham, where jewellery valued at £2193 9s was found hidden in some scrub. Rings valued at £66 16s and watches at £65 10s were later recovered at Balclutha. Jewellery valued at £2OB 19s 6d had still not been recovered. Ludlow’s counsel, Mr P. J. McAlevey, said the accused had been drinking just before the offence. He was, however, solely responsible for the theft of most of the property recovered.

“There is nothing like active work for relieving and steadying the mind.”—A, C. Benson.