UNINVITED GUEST

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 192, 9 May 1924, Page 8

UNINVITED GUEST

FOUND GUILTY OF BREAKING, ENTERING AND THEFT.

The cool manner in which a house at Lyall Bav was entered during the owner’s absence in January last was described before the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) and a jury in the Supreme Court yesterday, when a Maori, Miroi Uripini, camo up for trial on charges of breaking, entering and theft at the dwelling house of Ninewha HcrrmiaMr. P. S. K. Macassey (Crown Prosecutor) said that complainant was a welL'bo-do Maori woman residing at Lvall Bay. ' On January 13 she left hor home with her husband to visit Wairoa, and on returning a month later it was found that the premises had been broken into. A search revealed prisoner sleeping on the couch, having consumed all the food ho could find. Bv way of explanation tho man said ho had been given permission to go to tho lieu so. Evidence was called to show that this was contrary to fact. The prisoner was said to have been in Wellington at the time of the offence and was out of employment. Prisoner had nothing to say at tho conclusion of tho evidence, and the jnrv returned a unanimous verdict of oniUv without retiring. His Honour said ho would pass sentence on Saturday. In the meantime he desired to know something nmro about tho prisoner. It had been reported that the man had separated from his wife and then taken to drink. Like everybody who induh’od in strong liquor, he eventually found himself faced with a criminal charge.