SERIES OF CHARGES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 148, 23 May 1928, Page 7

SERIES OF CHARGES.

BREAKING AND ENTERING AND THEFT.

YOUNG MAN COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE.

Henry Roland Barr, a labourer, about 24 years of age, appeared before Messrs W. G. Ashworth and G. H. Espiner, J.P.’s, at the Police Court this morning on a number of charges. The first charge preferred against him was that, on April 26 at Fitzherbert. he did break and enter tlie dwelling-liouse of Thomas Young and steal sundry articles of a value of £3 11s.

In evidence Thomas Young, of Fitzlierbert, farmer, stated that, on April 26 last, ho left home at 11.30 a.m., locking all doors and windows.- On returning at about 5.15 p.m., Ire found a door open and tlie house ransacked. An entrance had been effected through a window. A search revealed that articles valued at £3 11s had been stolen.

Constable Thom deposed that, on May 14, accused was arrested on another charge. A search -at his . home revealed the presence of the stolen articles. Later accused made a statement admitting that he had broken into the house and stolen the property. Accused thereupon pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. HOUSE IN GREY STREET. He was then charged with having broken and entered the dwelling-house of Mrs Jane Avery, situated in Grey Street, and having stolen therefrom articles of a value of £2 2s 6d. On oath, Mrs Avery stated that she left her house on April 5 and returned on May 9, finding that certain property, which she valued at £2 2s (id, had been stolen. Elsie Jane Anderson, daughter of the previous witness, residing in Rangitano Street, stated that, on the day her mother went away, she locked the house up securely. On May 8. on a visit to the house, witness found that certain goods had disappeared, someone having gained access through a back window. Constable Thom again gave evidence as to the goods having been recovered at accused’s home, and as to his having made a ’ statement admitting that he had taken them. ■ Pleading guilty, accused was again committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. SUM OF MONEY STOLEN. The next charge preferred against accused was that, on May 10, at Palmerston North, he did break and enter the dwellnig-liouse of Miss Mary MeLagan, situated in Batt Street, and steal therefrom the sum of 4s in money.

Miss McLagan, in evidence, stated that she was absent. from her home for a period of from May sth to loth. On her return she found that the house ,had been entered through a hack window and the sum of 4s in money stolen. The house had been locked up securely on her departure. Constable Thom again put in a signed statement by accused admitting the offence. Another plea of guilty was entered. GAOL ON ANOTHER CHARGE. The last charge alleged an act of indecency at Fitzherbert on May 7 witli the intention of offending a female.

On this, accused had the option of being tried by a jury or not, jvnd he elected to he dealt with bv the Justices, entering a plea of guilty. After hearing the evidence the Bench imposed a sentence of three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.