Man Found Guilty Of Attempted Burglary

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31982, 8 May 1969, Page 9

Man Found Guilty Of Attempted Burglary

A man found by a security patrolman at a side door of the S.X. Garage, Ltd, 401 Tuam Street, on the night of February 28. said he had gone there to relieve himself, and was permitted to depart, according to evidence given in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon. But after the discovery of marks on the door, and two metal instruments lying nearby, he was followed and eventually found by the police. This evidence was given against Maurice Pimm, aged 34, a motor mechanic who

stood trial before Mr Justice Wilson and a jury on a charge of attempted burglary of the garage. Mr W- S. Smith appeared for the Crown and Pimm was defended by Mr L. M. O’Reilly, with him Mr E. T. Higgins. Pimm pleaded not guilty, but after an hour’s retirement the jury found him guilty and he was remanded in custody for sentence on May 14. James Kirau Keremeta, a Regular Army soldier and part-time security patrolman, gave evidence that he heard the clatter of a metal object against a nearby petrol pump as the accused moved away from the door. Because the accused smelt strongly of liquor, the witness was Inclined to believe his explanation, and when the accused said that he was going to a nearby hotel the witness let him go but after discovering the metal instruments, and marks on the door, followed him.

Detective A. E. Harris said that when interviewed, Pimm denied any intention of burgling the garage, and said he had gone there to relieve himself because it was dark. The defence called no evidence, but Mr O’Reilly, addressing the jury, asked whether the* accused had acted a* a guilty man; There was no evidence of flight—rather, quite the opposite—and an immediate and continued denial of having had breaking instruments or intention to burgle the garage.