THEFT OF MONEY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 136, 9 May 1928, Page 7

THEFT OF MONEY.

Titus Edward McKenna, alias. Alexander Edmonds, a labourer, aged 23 years, appeared before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., at the Police Court this morning, charged, with the theft on April 26, of £9, the property of Norman Matheson. , A charge of being idio and disorderly and with having no lawful means of "support, was also preferred. Accused pleaded not guilty to both charges. Norman Matheson. a labourer, said that he- came into Palmerston North on April 26. He had a few drinks and met a- man to whoso shop he had gone to play the bagpipes. He then met accused and more liquor was consumed. At the time he ha'd over £9 in his possession and he had paid for most of tho drinks. Later he had partially undressed and laid down on a bed in the.back of the shop. "When he awoke, ho discovered that his money, with the exception of 2s 6d, had been stolen. ,Ho believed t.aafc accused had taken it. • John McMillan, fruiterer, of Main Street, said, in evidence, that he knew accused‘as McKenna. It was correct that he had invited Matheson into the shop to play the bagpipes. Several rounds of drinks were consumed and things had become merry, Matheson going to bed. Witness then had occasiion to go into tho front of the shop and, looking through a peep hole, ho saw accused take Matheson’s trousers out to the back and later return them. Accused had paid for his share of the drinks until he said he had no money. Later, however, he bought some cigarettes and appeared to then have plenty of money. Detective Barling gave evidence of arresting accused and of his having made a statement in which he admitted that he had been drinking at McMillan's shop. He had also said that he had no money and that when he Mt the shop Matheson and McMillan were lying down on the bed. ... ... v In evidence, accused 6!UC L * had arrived in Palmerston North two weeks ago in search of work. He had done a few days’ work for whichhe had received £2 7s bd. He ‘ ‘ ; received £3 from Auckland. On tho day in question, he met- McMillan nru went to his shop to consume some liquor. He had paid for his share of the drink. He had not taken Matheson’s money. He now had . job in view at Paliiatua. ~ Questioned by Detective Russell, ac cused admitted having been before the court on a charge of using obscene language and with unlawfully being in premises, and that he was at present on probation for the it .The accused was . convicted and r dered to come, up for sentence if called upon at any time within tw 3 ‘ ' ' - ordered to repay the £9 at tho into of (to accused): If f «a Ret into trouble again, you will imm-d atelv be brought up for sentence. 1 am giving you'a chance as you are young man.