ALLEGED THEFT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7390, 17 February 1902, Page 2

ALLEGED THEFT.

In the Police Court this morning, before Messrs M. J. O'Donnell and E. Fake, J.P.s, Reuben Baldwin was charged with having, on tbe 14th February, stolen a gold ring, of the value of £2, the property of John Bennett.

Mr Welsh appeared for accused.

Sergeant Bernard said Bennett and Baldwin were in the Hawera Hotel, when the former took off his ring, whioh nccused asked to see. After an examination of the ring, Bennett put it on his finger, but Baldwin took it off and declined to give it back, and rode away.

John Bennett gave evidence in support of the Sergeant's statement. •

Cross-examined by Mr Welsh, witness said he had known Baldwin for six months. Baldwin asked him to have a drink on the night in question. When accused took the ring he asked witness to give it to him.

To the Court: Accused forcibly removed the ring. The wife of the licensee of the Hawera Hotel said that Bennett showed the ring in the hotel on the 14th. He said he had picked it up on the Norrnanby road. Later, she saw it on Baldwin's finger, and heard Bennett ask for it. The request was made in a gentle manner.

To Mr WeLh : Witness heard no noise.

A daughter of last witness gave corroborative evidence.

George Pouud said that at the stable he heard Bennett ask accused for the ring. Baldwin said he would give it back next day.

To Mr Welsh : Baldwin was laughing, and Bennett was getting angry. To the Bench : Witness looked upon, the incident as a joke. Constable Clarke arrested accused on Saturday morning. After arrest, accused drew a ring from his vest pocket, and said, " This is the ring Bennett gave me."

To the Bench : Bennett was excited when he reported the loss of the ring. The Beach decided that there was nothing to show felonious intent. The action of the accused might have been foolish, and he should be more careful in future. Accused was discharged.