POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 18852, 29 January 1925, Page 4

POLICE COURT

Thursday, January 29,

(Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M,)

LIQUOR STOLEN,

George MTlhoney was charged with, on January 25, breaking and entering the premises of Messrs Thomson, Ltd., by day and stealing therefrom one bottle of champagne, one bottle of wine, and one bottle of wimkv. of a total value of £1 11s.

Chief-defective Lewis prosecuted, Joseph Usmond, carpenter, employed at Thomsons, Ltd., said the building was being altcicd, and a hole in it was temporarily covered with a sheet of rooting iron nailed in position. Un January 24 witness left the place at noon, and as far as he knew everything was secure, lie did not notice the position of (lie rooting iron when lie returned on .Monday morning to work. benjamin Jones, storeman, said that when he went, to work on the morning of Monday, January 26, he found evidence of someone having entered the premises. Someone had got in behind a sliding door and lifted it off the rails on which it worked, though the, door was still locked. There were some broken beer and stout bottles lying about. The piece of iron on the outside of tlie building lead been [lushed back to allow an entrance. At half-past 8 on the Monday morning accused came in to work, and hung up his coat. Witness noticed the bottle of champagne. He asked aroused if it was his coat, and accused replied that it was, and admitted that he had got into the premises. The other two bottles were also in the coat. Accused was working at Thomson’s as a laborer for Mr Watson, who was carrying out the, alterations to the premises. 'Accused was under the influence of liquor when witness saw him. Detective Hart stated that, ns a result of a complaint, lie interviewed accused, who admitted having committed t-ho offence. Accused made a statement, and signed it. 11c said he did not remember having entered Ihe premises, but was satisfied that be must have done so and stolen the liquor. Accused, who was not represented by counsel, had no questions to ask of the witnesses. Ho pleaded guilty. His Worship committed accused to the Supreme Court for sentence. SOUTH DUNEDIN CASE. Stanley Alfred John Miles, nineteen years of ago, appeared to answer a charge of, on January 27, breaking and entering by night the shop of Florence Crosl.ie in King Edward street, and stealing therefrom one alarm clock, three purses, one lady’s purse and bag, one pair scissors, and two fountain pens, of a total value of £2 Is. , , Accused was also charged with being in possession of a British bulldog revolver except for some lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose. Accused appeared before the court yesterday, and was remanded for a week. This morning Mr C. J. L. White, on behalf of Mr Hanlon, applied for bail, lie said the parents, who wore respectable people, knew nothing about the matter till accused came before the cou(t. Chief-detective Lewis said the only objection to bail was that accused had said another man was concerned in die affair, and had waited outside the shop while ho (accused) committed the theft. There was an idea that he was sheltering the other man, but the police now hoped to lay their hands on him. Under the circumstances he could not now oppose bail. The Magistrate granted bail of £SO, with one surety of £SO.