NAPIER COURT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 199, 6 August 1928, Page 5

NAPIER COURT

(Before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M.) TO-DAY’S CASES. ■William Thomas Trillo (Mr Mayne) pleaded not guilty to stealing » number of fishing hnea and other fishing gear valued at £lO IS/- from a launch, the property of Frederick Jane, on or about April 6. Jane, in evidence, stated that he owned a launch in which he had locked away a number of lines, hooks and dummies. On going to the launch he found that it had been entered and lines, with other articles, to the value of £lO 18/- were removed Re had reason to suspect the accused, who afterwards agreed to pay 7/8 a week to witness until the lines were paid for. After two instalments were paid the accused said that be would not pay an? more as he had been interviewed by the police. To Mr. Mayne: Witness said that he had seen the police before the accused asked him to drop the case if he paid for the lines. Witness found out later that he could not drop the case. The accused at first stated that he got the lines from another boy. Witness stated that the accused’s mother saw him, when she said that she would not pay for the lines as the accused hnd bought them. This conversation hpd taken place after the accused had naid the two instalments. Witness never accused another boy of taking the lines. Constable Hodge stated that he took a statement from the accused, in which he told Jane that he would not pay anything further if the police went on with the case.

Mr. Mayne: I believe you said to the accused, “Now, Trillo, we have proof that you took the lines and you may as well admit it and make it easier for yourself.” Witness: I said the evidence was against him. and if he had taken the lines he might as well admit it. I did ask him why he offered to pay for the lines, and he said that he was frightened and did not want a police case.

The accused, in evidence, stated that Jane wanted him to pay for the lines and witness refused to do so. Later Detective-Sergeant Martin saw witness regarding the lines. He told him that he never took Jane's lines and explained to the detective that he had bought the lines lie had from a man when he was fishing at the Westshore Embankment. After h« bought them he nut one of the lines in the mouth of the Tutaekuri river. To His Worship: Accused said that Jana first suspected another boy who had gone out with him sometimes setting the lines As a result of an interview with the detective witness went and saw Jane about the lines. The only reason why he made an offer to pay Jane was because he was frightened nf the police. The mother of the accused stated that she told Jane that if the bov had not taken the lines she would not pay for them. In the presence of Constable Hodge witness heard the boy say that he did not take the lines

His Worship, after reviewing the evidence, adjommed his decision for a week. MARRIED WOMAN’S LAPSE Lillian Hilda. Timms, a married woman, pleaded <milty to obtaining credit by fraud groceries valued at £5 9/- from Mark Eustace Bowden by falsely renresenting that her name was Mrs T Smith and that her husband was in permanent employment with the Napier Borough Council. After a brief statement by SeniorSergeant Powell the case was adjourned til) to-morrow morning in order that the probation ‘■Hirer might furnish a report to His Worship.