THEFT OF JEWELLERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20174, 7 February 1929, Page 12

THEFT OF JEWELLERY

t CITY PAWNBROKER'S LOSS.

SEQUEL IN SUPREME COURT

YOUNG MECHANIC CONVICTED

Holding that thoro was not sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction on charges of breaking and entering, a jury in tho Supreino Court yesterday found Cecil Francis Hunt, a mechanic, aged 24, guilty of tho theft of goods from tho premises of Meltzer Brothers, pawnbrokers, Victoria Street, and of receiving goods knowing them to havo boon stolen. Tlio Crown's case was that goods, mainly jewellery, valued at £l2O, were taken from tho shop on tho night of Juno 25 last. A sheet of iron had been lifted off the roof, and entrance had been gained through a man-hole in tho ceiling. Harry Meltzer had identified a number of articles of jewellery and ornaments produced in Court as goods taken from tho premises, and said many of Jthetn were now worthless.

When tho caso was resumed yesterday Mr. Rudd, for tho accused, said ho would present no evidence, and 'Mr. Hubble, for the Crown, accordingly did not address tho jury.

On tho chargo of breaking and entering there was only the most circumstantial of circumstantial evidence, said Mr. Rudd in addressing tho jury. Ho urged tho jury to bo careful about convicting tho accused on tho slender cvidcnco produced. "In cases of breaking and entering it is extremely rare to find a man actually on tho premisos, especially at night," said Mr. Justico Blair, in pointing out that circumstantial evidence might bo as strong as direct evidenco. "Tho finding of a trout in a milk "jug is pretty strong evidenco that tho milk has been watered," said His Honor in illustration of the point.

After an hour's retirement the jury returned with a verdict of guilty of theft and of receiving and not guilty of breaking and entering. Sentence will be imposed on Saturday.