POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13767, 4 June 1908, Page 3

POLICE COURT NEWS.

HOTEL ROBBERY.

A 'PECULIAR CASE

At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. C. C. , Kettle, S.M., a young man named Claude lllingworth, alias Fred. Williams, was charged with stealing from the dwelling of Daniel Ryan, licensee of the Shamrock Hotel, a gold watch, a bunch of keys, two copper coins, and ah overcoat, valued at £22, the property of Andrew Walker McGregor. Sergeant Hendry prosecuted, and accused was undefended. The complainant, a traveller, said that on May 26 he was boarding at the Shamrock Hotel, and feeling unwell took off his boots and top-coat, shortly after eight o'clock m tho evening, and went to sleep without further undressing himself. The watch, coins, and the bunch of keys pro-, duced were in witness' vest pocket. At about 9J?J witness was aroused from his slumber by Mr. Ryan in the presence of accused. The licensee then asked witness where his watch was, and on looking for ' it .witness discovered that it had been stolen. He also missed his coat, boots, ' cigarettes, matches, two coins and about 30s in cash. His coat, boots, and the 30s had not yet been recovered.

Daniel Ryan, licensee of the Shamrock Hotel, said that on tho date in question ho saw accused coming out of the hotel with an overcoat under his arm about 9,40. Accused returned to the hotel a few minutes afterwards without the article. Witness then followed accused and found him in McGregor's bedroom. McGregor was fast asleep and had his pockets turnedinside out. Witness then said to Illingworth, "Who are you?" and he replied, "I am a friend of this man," meaning McGregor. Witness afterwards said, " Where's his overcoat,' and ho answered, "All right, don't get a man pinched for this. I'll go and get his overcoat." Witness then asked accused where McGregor's watch was, and he at once pulled it out, of his vest pocket and handed it to him. The police were sent for, and accused was given in charge. Constable J. J. Power, .who arrested Illingworth, said that beforo the arrest took place he saw a man, who looked like accused, endeavouring to raise a bedroom window in the hotel in order to mako his escape. Illingworth denied stealing tho overcoat, and in reply to witness said he must have made a mistake through going into McGregor's room. He admitted, however, stealing the watch, and on searching him witness found the bunch of keys and two copper coins. Accused, who said he was very drunk at the time, pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. A further charge against him of entering the Shamrock Hotel with intent to commit a crime therein was withdrawn.

AN OPPOSITION BOOTBLACK. Two old men, John Murphy and William Andrews, were charged with committing a breach of the peace in Queen-street on Tuesday. Murphy" pleaded guilty, but said that what he had done was in eelf-defence. He explained that lie was a bootblack, and had a stand in Queen-street. On Tuesday, Andrews, who was an Imperial pensioner, came and "started opposition.' alongside witness, and kept calling out, "I'll polish your boots for 2d." When he (Murphy) was cleaning a pair of hoots Andrews put his head near where witness was working, and one of , the . brushes struck him a. blow in the eye.. Andrews then punched witness, who returned the blow.

Sergeant Hendry said the whole trouble had arisen through Andrews starting opposition to Murphy. Mr. Kettle told the men that they had been very silly, and discharged them with a caution.

A DOMESTIC QUARREL. Alfred S. Harper, who was suffering from a severe wound on the head, was charged with assaulting his wife, and with procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. Sergeant Hendry explained that accused went home under the influence of liquor,and had an altercation with his" son. Mrs. Harper endeavoured to protect the son, and was assaulted by her husband. Harper afterwards fell down the steps, receiving an injury to his head. Harper declared that his son struck him on the head with a whip-handle, causing tho injury Defendant was fined 20s and costs for breaking the terms of his prohibition order, and acquitted on the other count, which was withdrawn.