'HELP! HELP! I’M ROBBED!’

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2670, 2 May 1925, Page 11

'HELP! HELP! I’M ROBBED!’

AND AWAY THEY WENT WITH £73. CHARGE AGAINST YOUNG MAN. The confidence trick played on a farmer named Stanley Gibson, at the Palmerston North Esplanade on Fe» ruary 24 last, whereby he had stolen from him the sum o£ £73, was recalled at the Palmerston North Police Court yesterday, when a man named Denholm Gillespie, alias John Harris, was charged that with Robert Howdon, alias Henderson ho did commit the theft. Messrs. C F. Spooner and Ashworth, J.sP., presided. Accused was not represented by counsel Detective-Sergeant Quirke, who conducted the case for the police, stated that Gibson went to the Esplanade with one man, who was later joined by two others. Gillespie then allegedly snatched £73 in notes from Gibson and made off Accused was arrested in Sydney and brought to Palmerston North. Stanley Gibson then gave evidence on lines similar to that in the case against Robert Howden, reported in our issue of March 13. There was no doubt whatever that accused was Ihe man who' snatched witness’s money. Constable Peters stated that he knew the accused, who was at the Nganiwahia race meeting with Howden and a third man on February 21. They were together most of the afternoon, All three men wore staying at the Frankton Junction Hotel under assumed names. As far as witness knew, they loft there on February 23. Detective Russell stated that on April 2S. at Wellington in company with another detective, he met the Ulirnaroa from Sydney, and saw accused on board. Asked if his name, was Gillespie, he replied yes. Upon being - told that a warrant was out for his arrest, accused denied the charge contained therein Accused did not come over from Sydney voluntarily. Accused pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court at Palmerston North for trial Bail was not asked for.