THREE MONTHS FOR THEFT

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 26 January 1933, Page 5

THREE MONTHS FOR THEFT

—r— 4> —— BEDROOM CLOCK STOLEN. SIi'N'IENOE. AT HAWER A:■ Charged with the theft of a bedroom clock valued at £3 ,i rom tne Egmont Hotel iu Hawera on j anuarv k 3 a middle-aged man named George Hunter, who was described by tne police as au habitual criminal with 2b prevkius you vacuous, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment by Mr ; J. H. Salmon, ,S,-VL ; m the Magistrate s Court yesterday axternoon ■ Accused entered a piea of not guilty but las counsel (Mr. R. J. O'Dea) did not call any evidence.

Sergeant Henry conducted the police prosecution and in outlining the tacts said that Hunter was seen coming out of the office of the hotel ’ and later was seen going round behind the l.ourthouse. it was discovered the next day that the clock was missing. Ihe same morning it was found in the Court lavatory. Evidence was-given by a casual employee at the hotel, Aitred itaiifr , uho said that he observed Hunter coining out of the office. “I asked him what he.was doing there,” said witness, “and : he replied that he was looking for the bar. - I told him that he had passed‘two bark to get to the office.” .Bailey told'a •constable and later saw Hunter,' who had a sugar, sack go behind the Courthouse. Thomas S’. Lynch, Court bailiff, gave evidence that while in the outbuilding in the court grounds the clock fell from a projection near the ceiling.

Ernest Constant; licensee of, the hotel, said as the result of .what Bailey told him lie looked in the office. Nothing was missing: He did not look into .the sitting room off the office, but the following > morning noticed (the clock was missing. Constable Healey also saw Hunter go behind the courthouse, .where lie remained tor ; about four ~minutes. He did not take, the sugar sack with. him. The constable asked Hunter to go to the police station, and at. Hunter's request searched- him, ■ but 'found nothing. Hunter did not deny being in the office of the hotel, but said lie liad not taken anything.' Hunter again (let nied the theft when- arrested.

Sergeant Henry said Hunter had been declared an habitual criminal and was “wanted” for not complying with the terms of his release. -He had a formidable list commencing with larceny in 18C-3 and containing -2o other convictions, one for assault and robbery, but most for theft with occasional convictions for; default in. a maintenance order.

Counsel intimated that he did not intend to call evidence, remarking that the evidence given against his client was purely circumstantial. g. > “It is sometimes said that circumstantial evidence is. the best evidence,” said His Worship in entering a conviction and passing sentence. Accused protested his innocence and commenced to make. ..a . .statement whereupon the magistrate remarked that he could not re-open the matter. “Your counsel very wisely did not call .you to give evidence,” concluded His Worship,. “for your full record would have been revealed.”