CHARGES OF THEFT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 119, 16 November 1909, Page 3

CHARGES OF THEFT.

TWO PRISONERS SENTENCED. Two prisoners were tried before Mr. Justice Chapman in the Supreme Court yesterday afternoon. Both were found guilty of offenoes and sentenced to terms of imprisonment. RUSSIAN FINN IN TROUBLE. Andrew Paulson, a young Russian Finn, was placed in the dock on a charge of theft of a gold watch and chain ; a security for £2 and £2 10s in money, the property of Mrs. Eva Haggett, * the wife of George Ilaggett, Opawa. Accused, who came up for trial, was not defended by counsel. Mr. Percy Hodson was foreman of the jury. Evidence was given to show that the prisoner took the watch and chain from the informant's room in the Hotel Cecil on the 3rd May and pawned the articles. The prisoner's statement, admitting the pawning of the watch and chain, was read to the jury by the judge. He declared therein that the watch and chain were given him by an unknown man to sell. He admitted that he was drinking heavily at the time. He stayed at the Cecil two nights. His Honour summed up very briefly. The jury retired at 2.50 p.m., and returned at 3.40 pm. with a verdict of "guilty," but with a recommendation to mercy on the ground that if the door had a proper lock temptation would not have been put in the way of the accused The Crown Prosecutor said the prisoner had been guilty of similar offences. His Honour imposed a sentence at two years' imprisonment. THEFT FROM PERSON. Archibald M'Naughton,. a young man, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing, on thu 7th September, a watch and chain from the person of one George William Shelley. Mr. Webb represented M'Naughton. Mr. W. Kellow was elected foreman of the jury. Evidence was given by George William Shelley, licensee of the Foresters' Arms Hotel, as to the alleged theft He came to the door of the hotel on the evening of the 7th September. "The prisoner made at him and struck him on the head. The witness summoned the police, and disco% r ered that his watch and chain were missing. The jury found the prisoner guilty of the charge of assault, but not guilty of the char-re of robbery. M'Naughton ] was sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.