COURT NEWS

Grey River Argus, 5 January 1940, Page 12

COURT NEWS

Caught by Naval Stoker ALLEGED THIEF. WELLINGTON, January 4. Evidence as to ho\y he chased an alleged thief through several city streets early this week was given m the Magistrate’s Court by a stoker, W. Brooks, of H.M.S. “Ramillies.” He was a witness in a case in which Richard Sullivan, a .labourer, was charged with having stolen £22 from Richard Sexton. Standing at attention and giving crisp replies to tne examination of Chief-Detective J. B. Young, Brooks related how he was having a drink with two men, named Sexton and Haines. The party was joined by Sullivan. Sexton, in buying a drink for the last-named, displayed a roll of bank notes, which both the others, and witness and the barman advised him to put. ■ away. Subsequently the men had left the bar. In consequence of a report made to him shortly afterwards, Brooks said, he went to a billiard saloon, where he saw Sullivan and asked him what he had taken from Sexton. Sullivan denied having taken anything. As they left the billiard saloon, Sullivan took to his heels with witness in pursuit. Witness eventually caught Sullivan, after the assistance of a motor car had been given, and, in response to a demand that ne hand over the money, Sullivan gave Brooks a small roll of notes. Later, witness saw defendant trying to hide another roll of notes under the seat of a car which they entered. He (Brooks) took charge_of the money, and handed both it and Sullivan over to the police. Sullivan was reminded until Jan--uary 9th. >