THEFT CASE DISMISSED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19940, 8 May 1928, Page 11

THEFT CASE DISMISSED.

COMPLAINT MADE BY WIFE. TROUBLE CONCERNING BAG. , [bx tei.eghaph.—own correspondent. ] HAMILTON. Monday. Unusual circumstances were disclosed in a case heard before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Hamilton Magistrate's Court to-day, when Ivan Slakich, aged 32, a Yugoslav, was charged with stealing a suitcase and clothing, valued' at £B, th-j property of his wife. Senior-Sergeant Sweeney said that three years ago accused married a girl who was then 14 years" of age. It was arranged that Slakich should pot live with his wife for three years. However, Slakich continued to live for some months with his wife's parents. She sued for maintenance, and an order was made against hijt with respect to his wife and child. A year ago complainant went to live in Taranaki, and last month accused went down to try to persuade her to return to him. She would not agree, and he took her travelling bag from her. The wife gave evidence in eupport oi the police statement. Questioned by accused, witness admitted she was in company with another man when accused met her in Taranaki.

Accused, in a statement to the police, said ho had done his best to comply with the maintenance order, but had twice fallen into arrears and had suffersd fcern.s of imprisonment. When he approached his wife she was with another msm, ami she used strong and abusive language toward him.

The magistrate said the offence was a technical one, and without calling on the defence he dismissed the information.

Accused asked for permission to retain certain letters he had found in the bruv but, as these were the* property of bh wife, the request was refused.