MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 65, 13 February 1935, Page 4

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

DOMESTIC CHARGED. ALLEGED BREAKING AND ENTERING. Three charges were preferred in the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North, yesterday, before Messrs W. G. Ashworth and J. H. Whitehead, J .P.’s, against Edna Margaret Lewis, alias Olga Corkran, alias Leta ALay Clayton, a .23-year-old domestic of no fixed abode. They were: —(I) That on January 31, at Palmerston North, she did by night break and enter the shop of Kitty Emden and steal therein livo lutts, a frock, a. travelling clock, a mirror, three pairs of scissors, a bunch of keys and sundry other articles of a total value of £7 lis 3d, the property of Kitty Emden; (2) that on February 4, ai Palmerston North, she did steal from the dwelling house of George Graham Johnson, in AlcGiffert Street, a. knife and sheath, four gold rings, a lady’s overcoat, a lady’s dressing gown, two bangles, a pair of lady’s gloves and sundry other articles of a total value of £ls, the property of Graham Johnson; (3) that on February 4, at Palmerston North, she did wilfully damage an ambulance outfit valu_ ed at 10s the property of the New Zealand Government, thereby committing mischief. Evidence was given by Aliss Emden, a milliner in business in the Square, that on Thursday, January 31, she closed her shop at 5.30 p.m., securing the doors and windows. Next morning, at 8.30, she found that the stock had been thrown all over the place, and several things taken. At itness missed a black satin frock, hats, scissors, and five hats. She identified-as hers articles which were produced. George Graham Johnson, testified that on Monday, February 4, lie and his family wore absent from their homo until 5 p.m., having previously left secure everything except a fanlight in one room. On Ins return he discovered clothing and jewellery to bo missing. Witness identified articles produced. Some of the property was found next morning in a small bag under a church.

Constable Arnold stated in evidence that at 8.20 p.m. on February 4 ho arrested accused on tho railway station, charging her with drunkenness and committing damage. Articles produced were found in accused’s possession when she was searched.

Constable Collinge stated that at 11.40 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, he was on night duty and examining the doors of premises in the Square. He found the door of Aliss Emden’s shop standing open. He examined the premises and found they had been ransacked. 'l'lie outside back door had a panel broken, and the inside back door two panels and a fanlight broken. Detective Alsop gave evidence that after accused had been arrested he found in her possession certain articles identified by the witness as having been stolen from the house in AlcGiffert Street. Questioned regarding other articles, including those found in the section adjoining the dwelling, accused made a signed statement to the effect that at about 3 p.m. on the preceding Monday she went into a churchyard, round to a step at the back of the building and drank a bottle of beer, one of three she had

obtained that afternoon. She then got into an adjoining house and took articles, hiding some in the trees in the churchyard, where she drank another ■ bottle of beer. Later that night she was arrested for drunkenness. Accused, when questioned later, as to what she knew about Miss lCinden’s shop, made another statement, and from information which she supplied all the property stolen from the premises was recovered. She said she was alone between 10.30 p.m. and 11 p.m. one night when she went up a right of way and drank a bottle of bear. She smashed the glass in the doors with tho beer bottle but could not get in, so she obtained a stepladder and she smashed a fanlight to gain entrance, cutting her hand in doing so. She used matches, and not a torch. After taking articles from the shop she left by tho front door. Accused pleaded guilty to both charges of breaking and entering, and was committed to the next session of the Supreme Court at AVellington for sentence. Accused was convicted of damaging the ambulance outfit and ordered to pay 10s, defraying the cost.