ALLEGED THEFT IN HOTEL

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 153, 25 March 1937, Page 16

ALLEGED THEFT IN HOTEL

John Paton Hardy, alias John Paton, appeared in the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, yesterday, charged with the theft on March 23 of a fur coat valued at £27 10/-, the property of Lucy Annie Gregory, a guest at the Grand Central Hotel. Detective-Sergeant P. Doyle conducted the case for the police. Accused pleaded not guilty, and elected to be tried by a jury. He was represented by Mr. M. G. Neal. When the case opened in the morning before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M.. Mr. Neal asked for a remand. Accused, he said, was arrested only on the previous night, and there had been no time to get into touch with witnesses.

Detective-Sergeant Doyle said he wished the evidence of two witnesses at least to be taken, as they would be leaving Wellington shortly. Accused was remanded until the afternoon, when the hearing was begun before Mr. IV. F. Stilwell, S.M. After the witnesses had been heard, accused was remanded to April 7 to allow of the taking of further evidence. Bail was fixed at £lOO, with one surety.

A youth of 17. Donald Arthur Allan Gordon Marsh, who pleaded guilty last Thursday to a charge of stealing a sports coat, and pair of trousers, and was remanded for sentence, appeared again yesterday before Mr. E. I). Mosley. S.M. He was convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months, the magistrate remarking that he would give him another chance owing to his age