BURGLARS' TOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 37, 14 February 1938, Page 11

BURGLARS' TOOLS

POSSESSION CHARGE

M BVH>EWDE OfFEREO

Following a plea of guilty by William Mcßeynolds, a ship's fireman, aged 29, to being found in possession of housebreaking instruments- by night at Paraparaumu on November 17, the Crown, ,im the Supreme Court today, withdrew the case- against William Henry -Roberts; Xa cleaner, aged. 54," and Stuart Aldred, a ta^i-driver, aged «32, who had been jointly \, charged with Mcßeynolds. ; Roberts and Aldred were discharged ' after a.formal verdict of not guilty by the jury, and Mcßeynolds was sentenced to eighteen months' hard labour by the Chief .Justice (Sir Michael Myers). The sentences will be concurrent with three years' hard labour to which Mcßeynolds was sentenced on Friday for breaking and entering and theft..

Mr. M. G. Neal appeared for Mcßeynolds, Mr. C. Evans-Scott for Aldred, and Mr. R.Hardie Boys for Roberts.

: , The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. W. H. Cunningham) said he had given the case; serious consideration since 'he knew that Mcßeynods would plead guilty,- and it seemed to him that it might be- a waste of time for the Crown to proceed against the other two men. It seemed very difficult-to break down the explanations given in the Magistrate's Court, although the case > was one of suspicion.

His Honour said he thought it the proper course to take. He was satisfied that if evidence were called he would have to tell the jury at the conclusion of the case that it was riot a case in which they would b^ justified in convicting. ■ .. ■. . ' *■.

Roberts and Aldred were discharged after the jury had been instructed to return a verdict of not guilty, and McReynolds was then sentenced.