THEFTS FROM BOARDINGHOUSE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 34, 4 November 1937, Page 7

THEFTS FROM BOARDINGHOUSE

Labourer Sent To Prison in the Magistrate's Court, Wellington, yesterday, John Wilson, labourer, agetl 46, was convicted by Mr. AV. F. StilweU, S.M., of the theft on October 26 of £j. 10/- in money, the property of Reginald Lionel Longhurst; and of the theft on or about October 28 of a women's dress valued at 15/- the property of some person or persons unknown. Evidence was given that the money Ayas taken from Longhurst’s clothes which were in his room in an apartment house at which Wilson was also a boarder. Detective-Sergeant P. Doyle said Wilson, who was employed by the landlady, Mrs- Mary Reader, to do some work in the corridor opposite Longhurst’s room, was the only man in tiie building at the time tile money was alleged to have been stolen. When Wilson’s room was searched a dress was lound. Asked by the police where he got the dress, AViison had said it was given him by Mrs. Reader, which she denied.

Evidence was given in support of the detective-sergeant's outline. Wilson in evidence denied that he stole the money or the dress. The money, he said, was his sustenance pay, and the dress was given him among other discarded clothing to do as he liked with. He admitted previous convictions and having been declared an habitual criminal. He was found guilty on both charges and sentenced to one month’s imprisonment <>n each charge. The magistrate made an order for the dress to bo returned to the owner if found.