CHARGE OF THEFT

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30137, 22 May 1963, Page 9

CHARGE OF THEFT

Wonfall’s Trial

Begun

Last November £35 was stolep from jars, tins, boxes, and a wallet, all kept by an Ashburton man in a wardrobe of his home, a jury in the Supreme Court was told yesterday. On trial was Beulah Skinner, charged with the theft of £2O on November 15 and of £l5 on November 28. from Alfred George Beach.

Mr Justice Wilson was on the Bench. Mr B. J. Drake, with him Mr H. E. Blank, appeared for the accused and Mr C, M. Roper prosecuted. Mr Roper told the jury that Beach was in the habit of keeping money for housekeeping in tins, boxes, jars, and a wallet, locked in his wardrobe. Last October Beach counted the money, and there was about £2OO A month later he found that £35 was missing.

Evidence would show that in mid-October, Skinner called at Beach's home and showed interest in the con ents of the wardrobe, said Mr Roper Beach’s daughter and a friend were there. On that day Skinner said that she thought tiiat she had a key which might fit that lock. The key did fit, and the contents of the wardrobe, including the money, were inspected by Skinner and the two girls. In evidence, Beach said that some of She money had been in the wardrobe for years, and the notes were faded and musty. Cross-examined by Mr Drake. Beach denied that his children had gone to the home of Skinner, their aunt, tor food, saying that they did not get enough to eat at home.

Elaine Elizabeth Beach, aged 19, said that Skinner came round “to see what Dad had in his wardrobe.”

Evidence for the prosecution will continue today.