ALLEGED ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 185, 12 August 1911, Page 7

ALLEGED ASSAULT AND ROBBERY.

COUNTRYMAN WITH A CHEQUE

The old story of the too-trusting countryman with, a large cheque was repeated in the Wellington Magistrate's Court, before Mr W. G.\ Rid-dell,-S.M., on Wednesday (states The Post). Wm Lyndhurst, a middle-aged man, was charged with assaulting John Larmour on the 2nd inst., and robbing him of about £20. Sub-In-spector Sheehan prosecuted, but accused was not represented by counsel. From the evidence it appeared that John Larmour, an elderly cook from the Wairau district, came to Wellington on the 2nd inst. with, the intention of booking a passage to England by the Corinthic. He,had about £24 in his possession/ and .after making several purchases, which reduced his cash by .about £3, he was accosted by a young man jrirho claimed acquaintance. The usual round of hotels followed, and eventually the pair reached the Princess Theatre Hotel in Tory Street, where accused and another man joined the ,party. After Lar- . mour had paid for one round of drinks he seated himself in the parlour and immediately one of the men caught him by the throat, and his mate, whom Larmour identified as ■Lyndhurst, put his hand in his (Larmour 's) pocket and abstracted about £20. Larmour was so dazed that he had no clear recollection of what happened ' afterwards. All lie knew was tha^his. nioney was missing. Witness, however, stated that his first acquaintance took no part in the affair. . Evidence was given by the licensee of the Princess Theatre Hotel and his ■wife to the effect that Lyndhurst, who was known as ''Scouch," was in the parlour of the hotel with Larmour, and that a hat found after the assault was similar to the one worn by Lyndhurst. , Florrie Weston, of Little Taranaki Street, said that Lyndhurst came to her house on the evening of the 2nd inst., and handed her two sovereigns and ten shillings, asking her to keep it for him.

Detective Rawle said that accused Had twenty-two shillings in his, possession when arrested. Accused denied any knowledge of the offence. Witness had noticed Lyndhitrst about the streets for the last two months. This remark brought an interjection from accused.,the detective being asked if he knew that he (Lyndhurst) had only recently returned from Auckland. In reply witness repeated his former remark. ' !

On being formally charged, accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.