LAWYER’S POCKET PICKED

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1939, Page 2

LAWYER’S POCKET PICKED

PRISONERS SWALLOW MONEY The Contravention. Court in Cairo ■was so crowded on a recent, morning that a well-known lawyer who had to defend one of the many inmates of the dock could only find a seat right against the railings of the "cage.” It was a hot. day. and wanting to wipe the perspiration from his brow, he put his band into his pocket only to find that Hit' handkerchief lie hud put there before entering the court, had disappeared —and not only his handkerchief, but also his purse. Ho complained to the Judge that his pocket had been picked in court. The hearing of the case then before the court was suspended and an investigating officer was sent for. When the officer arrived he recognised one of the inmates of the dock as an old friend who had figured in many pickpocketing cases. This prisoner was then searched. On him was found the lawyer's handkerchief. and on the floor of the dock the empty purse. The prisoner, who seemed highly amused at the incident, then confessed that ho had not been able to resist picking Ihe lawyer's pocket, but that he and some of his fellow prisoners had swallowed the money. Subsequent medical examination of the men confirmed this fact. The lawyer was given back his money in addition to his handkerchief and his purse, and a charge of pickpocketing was added to the list of those for which the inmates of the dock were having to answer. —“Observer."