ALLEGATION OF THEFT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21233, 13 July 1932, Page 12

ALLEGATION OF THEFT.

MISSING WATCH AND CHAIN.

'ACCUSED SENT FOR TRIAL.

'An Irish labourer, Owen Byrne, aged 57, pleaded not guilty when charged in the Police Court yesterday afternoon with stealing from the person/ of; Patrick William Yanderspeck a silver watch, a gold chain, a pendant, a sovereign case, a sovereign and an Irish lottery ticket, of u, total value of £l3 ss. Messrs. A. J. Stratford and C. Wheeler, J.P.'s, were on the Bench. Complainant said ho and accused were drinking in a city hotel in company with other men. When witness left the bar accused followed arid snatched his watch nnd chain. Witness spoke to accused, who denied taking the watch and chain, nnd then accused threw him down. Accused Jjroke away and ran into the street, but was overtaken and held by witness. He subsequently broke away again and witness reported the theft to the licensee of the hotel. That night witness found the missing watch and chain in an outside pocket of his overcoat. Ernest Montgomery, the licensee of the !hotel, said after struggling on the footpath, complainant and accused returned to the hotel. Accused remarked to complainaiit, "Let me go and I will give you your watch and chain." Witness left the hotel to find a constable, and while he was away, accused made his escape. Both accused and complainant were sober. Byrne was committed to the Supreme Court -for triaL Bail of £2OO wa? granted fend" accused* was ordered te report daily to the police.