POLICE COURT NEWS,

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17458, 30 April 1920, Page 6

POLICE COURT NEWS,

PESTERED RENOWN OFFICERS.

ATTEMPT TO STAB WIFE.

BOYS BREAK INTO HOUSE.

JEWELLERY AND MONEY STOLEN.

Two boys of 14 years were charged in the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., with breaking into a dwellinghouee at 4, ("wood Street, Ponsonby, and stealing money and jewellery to the value of £45 103. The accused pleaded guilty. One of the lads, it appeared, knew a son of the occupier of the house. Mrs. Annie Stonnonth, and had also an inside knowledge of the premises. While the place was temporarily unoccupied he and his companion, taking the back-door key from its hiding-place in the garden, entered and ransacked. various rooms on two occasions; Their " haul" included a box containing at least 18 half-sovereigns, rings, watches, brooches, and other articles. After disposing of some of the goods to second-hand dealers, and tearing up two wills, they took a trip to Wellington. Their finances almost exhausted, they proceeded to Masterton, where they were convicted of stealing several articles in the district, and were cent to Mount Eden Gaol for the- sentence of the

Supreme Court. The magistrate committed tham to the Supreme Court for sentence on the Auckland charges.

Begging Jrom officer! of H.M.S. Renown was embodied in ■ a charge of vagrancy preferred against James Dewery, who was also charged with theft. He was described as having pestered the officers in Queen Street. Ha and a companion obtained a shilling, each from a sympathiser, whereupon the accused demanded Is 6d to secure a meal. The stranger refused any further assistance, but as he walked away he dropped his purse, which the accused first .covered with his foot, and then apparently passed it to his friend. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for vagrancy, and one month "for stealing the purse, the terms to run concurrently.

Charges of attempting to stab his wife and of assaulting his sister-in-law were preferred against William Henry Elliott. Complaint was made also that Elliott was persistently cruel to his wife, and a separation and maintenance order was asked by Mr. A Moody, on behalf of ■Mrs. Elliott.

Sub-Inspector Wohlmann stated that the accused, a big burly man. bad gone to his wife's boardinghouse in Shelly Beach Road, where he seized a knife, and pointing it at his wife, rushed at her. Her sister jumped between them, and "was struck in the face. The accused's wife ■was in constant fear of serious injury from hei- husband, who, though a good workman, was an excessive drinker.

The magistrate ordered the accused to come up for sentence if called upon, an undertaking having been given not to again molest "his wife. A maintenance order for 15s a week was made with consent.