MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 142, 18 May 1932, Page 2

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

CHARGE OF THEFT

Alexander Robert Cootes, a labourer, aged 27, appeared before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., in tho Magistrate’s Court to-day charged with the theft of £5, tho property of Jessie Irene Anderson, at Palmerston North, on May 7. Accused elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded not guilty. » Senior-Detective Quirke stated that accused had been staying at the same house as complainant. One morning accused wanted soma cigarettes and she told him to go into her room and get them. Later she found a £5 note which she had saved was missing from under the mattress.

Complainant, Jessie Irene Anderson, of 6 Lombard Street, gave evidence on these lines. She stated that no other stranger but accused had had access to the room. Mrs Annie Clark stated in evidence that on the Saturday morning of the alleged theft accused gave her £4 to keep for him. Later in the day he called to get £l. Joseph Stanley Anson said that on Saturday, May 7 last, accused came into his father’s second-hand shop and bought a guitar, tendering a £1 note and a 10s note. Accused gave the name of “J. Henry.” Detective Barling stated that, when interviewed, accused had at first denied buying any guitar at all, and had later admitted that the money was given him to buy it. Accused gave evidence, denying the alleged theft. He stated that a friend had given him money to buy the guitar, and tho money ho had given to Mrs Clark to look after was his friend’s. He knew the police had been unable to trace the friend. Under cross-examination, he admitted that he had a number of previous convictions.

The Magistrate convicted accused, stating that it must be inferred from the circumstantial evidence that accused had committed the theft. Accused was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.