Theft of purse claim

Press, 20 October 1981, Page 4

Theft of purse claim

A man, in the District Court yesterday, was committed for trial on a charge of theft ofa purse and contents, valued at $5O, from a woman patron in the Doodles night club, Lichfield Street, on September 10. The defendant. Gordon Pikiao Rangi, aged 38, an unemployed labourer, elected trial by jury and denied the charge of theft of the purse and contents, owned by Helen Nicolle. Afrer hearing depositions of evidence from four prosecution witnesses, Messrs V.

C. Clarke and J. H. Christensen. Justices of the Peace, held there was sufficient evidence to commit the defendant for trial. He was remanded on bail to November 6, pending trial in the District Court. His counsel (Mr R. J. McMurtrie) reserved his defence. Sergeant J. E. Dwyer prosecuted. Prosecution evidence was given that the complainant had left her handbag on a table while dancing at the night club. The defendant was seen to take the handbag

to another table and remove the purse, which he gave to another person before returning the handbag to the complainant s table. The defendant, when interviewed by the police, denied any knowledge of the incident. In another court yesterday Judge. Bradford issued a warrant for the arrest of a woman, aged 22. who was also charged with the theft of the same purse and contents. She failed to appear for a scheduled defended hearing of the charge.