THEFTS AT GREYMOUTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 March 1930, Page 2

THEFTS AT GREYMOUTH

ACCUSED GETS SIX MONTHS. As a result of his weakness for appropriating the timepieces of otfcer people, Harold Henry Williams, 33, will spend the next six months of his time in Paparua Prison. He appeared before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M., at the Greymouth Court to-day, and was charged (1) That on March 29, at Greymouth, he stole two watches, one chain, one sovereign case, one medal, and two Masonic badges, of the total value of £ll/12/- the property of George Durry; (2) that, on the same date, he stole a silver watch and a gold watch, of the total value of £9/7/-, the property of Rose Ellen Gallop; (3) that, on the same date, he stole a silver watch, valued at £3, the property of Margaret Christina Gallop. He was also charged with drunkenness.

Detective H. C. March stated that on Saturday, Constable Patterson received a complaint that several rooms at the Royal Hotel had been ransacked, and a number of watches stolen. While on duty, the constable noticed accused acting in a peculiar manner with a wristlet watch on his arm. He did not appear to be used to such a watch. Later in the day,- accused was again accosted by Constable Patterson. Accused was thenylrunk, and was taken to the police station, where a number of watches was found in his possession. The watches were identified by the people at the hotel. Accused elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded guilty to all the charges. Detective Mur ch said that when accused was accosted by the constable and himself, Williams had sold one watch to a youth in the street for £l. The youth, Frederick Schroder, handed him 19/6, and that money was still in accused’s possession. Schroder had handed over the watch. When arrested, Williams had £4/12/4 in his possession. All the watches had been •recovered, with the exception of a silver watch valued at £2, the property of Durry. That had apparently been sold, by accused. Williams had a. number of previous convictions. The S.M. (to accused): Do you wish to say anything?—l have been drinking heavily for a week, and I don’t remember anything. The S.M. said that unfortunately accused had a bad record, and had served terms of two years and three years, in addition to smaller periods. He would be convicted and sentenced to six months’ imprisonment on each of the theft charges, the terms to be concurrent. An order was made for the return of the property to the owners, the payment of £2 to Durry, and 19/6 to Schroder. On the charge of drunkenness, Williams was convicted and discharged.