GISBORNE BURGLARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16602, 14 July 1914, Page 10

GISBORNE BURGLARY.

TWO MEN ON TRIAL. [Per Press Association.] GISBORNE. July 13.

John Robert Marsh and William Johnston were charged with the burglary of the shop of H. J. Grieve, jeweller, on June 12.

Tho case against Marsh was heard first.

Accused pleaded not guilty to theft, but guilty to receiving a, watch which was found in his possession.

Griove, in his evidence, stated that the jewellery taken was valued at between £1(300 and £I7OO. Detective M’Leod said that the accused Marsh admitted that he had a watch, tho proceeds of tho burglary, given him by a man to keep his mouth shut. ■ . . Marsh, was committed for trial on the charge of theft, and committed for sentenco on tho charge of receiving. Bail of £3OO in two sureties of £250 each, was allowed. Marsh, hi » signed statement, said that on Saturday evening, after tho fobberv, he met the accused, Johnston, who took him into an unoccupied house and pulled a. bag out from under the house filled with jewellery. Witness put'his hand in the bag and took a watch. Johnston took seme jewellery also, and then replaced the bag under tho house. Johnston said that the man who robbed Grieve's shop had arranged to plunder another store that night. Ho (Marsh) and Johnston waited to assist him, but ho failed to turn up Marsh said that ho bad no idea who tho man wn,s. That was all lie knew of the robbery. The accused Johnston, when arrested at Tolago Bay, made a statement that on the day following the burglary lie met a mail who told him that ho lmd broken into Grievo’s, and showed him a swag planted under an empty house. Ho (Johnston) agreed assist the man to shift tho stuff. Subsequently he visited The place with Marsh, and tho latter took a watch. He (Johnston) took various articles or a value of £3O Marsh’s statement that ho had arranged with the man to break into another shop was untrue. He (Johnston) took no part in the robbery. 1 hat was all he knew about it. Johnston pleaded guilty to receiving and not guilty to burglary, and was committed for sentence and far trial. Bail was fixed as in the case of Marsh.