MAN AT THE WINDOW

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 62, 15 March 1933, Page 11

MAN AT THE WINDOW

HOUSEHOLDER ALARMED

• "I was very intoxicated that night and I don't remember what happened. According to the evidence I must have been there, but I am sure I had no intention of committing a crime," said Percy Walter Lovell, a labourer, aged 34, when he was charged before Mr. E. Page; S.M., today'with, attempting to break and enter the house of Harry Lees at 54 Cambridge Terrace, with intent to commit theft. He was committed to the Supremo Court for trial. The evidence showed that Mr. Lees was iv bed, but awake, about 12.45 last Saturday morning when he heard his window being pushed up. He- looked up, and seeing a man standing outside the window asked him what he was doing. Mr. Lees then jumped out of bed and opened the front door, and found the accused outside. Mr. Lees again asked the accused what he was doing, adding, "I think you must be on the 'pinch." Tho accused denied that ho was, and then walked down the street. Mr. Lees called out, "Police, police, stop thief," and after a few seconds wont back to bed. ACCUSED FOLLOWED. Hearing Mr. Lees's cry a young man, Rupert Clarence Orange, followed the accused through the town to Tasmau Street, where h{> went into the Mount Cook Police Station and informed them of -what had happened. The accused was detained in Tasnian Street by a constable, and when Detective Eitehie arrived ho offered to make a statement about his movements that night. He said he had been drinking during the day and had gone to a party in Cambridge Terrace that night, where he had had more liquor. After leaving the party ho had- met two men whom lie knew by sight, but not by name, and they had asked him-*to go to another party in Tasman Street,' and ho was on his jvay there when ho was stopped by a constable. He did not know either of the houses in which were the parties but ho denied shopping in Cambridge Terraco and attempting to break into Mr. Lees's house.

"When asked to plead the accused stated that ho was very intoxicated, a«d if he had done what was alleged he was sure it was not -with any criminal intent. "I had a bed to <*o to, he said. "I have a job to-go to next week; and if I am treated leniently I will hot get into trouble again."

The Magistrate took this as a pleaof not guilty and- committed tho accused for trial.

On the question of bail Detectiveoergeant Ecvoll mentioned that tho accused had "quite a 'list' for breaking and entering." Bail was allowed m the accused's own bond of £75 and one surety of a like amount, on conor i ha re Ports daily to the