CHARGES OF THEFT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22225, 27 September 1935, Page 14

CHARGES OF THEFT

TOTAL OF 13 COUNTS ' ENTERTAINER IN COURT THE HEARING ADJOURNED Thirteen charges —six of breaking and entering various premises and stealing goods valued at £379 5s 6d, six charges of stealing goods valued at £29 3s 6d, and one charge of being deemed to bo a rogue and vagabond, in that he had in his possession without lawful excuse implements of housebreaking, a jemmy, threo skeleton keys and a quantity of gelignite and detonators—were preferred against Charles Richard George Ross (Mr. Noble), aged 35, an entertainer, in the Police Court, before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., yesterday. The articles alleged to have been stolen included barbers' requisites, tobacco, 56 rugs, ten motor-car tyres, groceries, patent medicines, a set of golf clubs, a driver's licence, and two packets of table knives. Letting of Oarages

Phyllis Elliott Ncwcomb, of Marama Avenue, Epsom, described an interview with accused, who called at witness' house concerning a garage her mother had to let. Accused gave the name of Davis, saying ho was a. commercial traveller, and required tho garage as a place in which to keep his samples at night. He was permitted to place some goods in the garage that night, July 3. On July 6 accused returned in a car, obtained the key to the garage and paid 6s rent. Evidence that while accused had tho use of the garage she noticed that, a blind had been placed across the back window was given by Martha Ellen Ncwcomb, mother of the previous witness. Accused also had obtained a new lock, saying he had lost tho other one. A short time after paying another fortnight's rent in advance accused vacated the garage without notifying witness of his intention to do so.

The letting of a garage in Charlton Avenue, Mount Eden,, to accused in August was related by John Houlton Slane, of St. Leonard's Boad, Epsom. Accused paid two weeks' rent, and when the next payment was duo accused telephoned witness saiying ho was going to Hclensville on urgent business. That was tho List witness heard from him. Details of Charges A salesman, Baymond Francis Woodley Grigg, said he knew accused and used to visit him at an address in the city. Accused told witness he was "wanted for maintenance" and did not want to bo seen about during the daytime. Witness used to lend accused a car at night time on occasions, believing the car was being used by accused to take out a girl friend. Tho breaking and entering charges included the following:—July 21, warehouse of the Onehunga Woollen Mills, Limited, Te Papapa, 56 rugs and three blankets, of a total value of £55 Is; July 2«'3. shop of Bobert Graham, 10 motor-car tyres, of a total value of £65 16s 6d; August 4, shop of Ernest Edward Balderson, Papatoetoe, clothing and mercery, of a total value of £l6l Is 9d; August 6, Marriott's Stores, Limited, Great South Boad, groceries, tobacco, patent medicines and other goods, of a total value of £7O.

Among the theft charges were:— July 17, car driver's licence, valued at ss, the property of Harry Morris Bogerson, and August 6, two packets of table knives, valued at £1 10s, the property of James Pascoe v Limited. Tho hearing of the charges occupied practically all day. Evidence given oy a large number of witnesses showed that entrance to various premises had been effected by forcing doors or windows by means of a jemmy. Accused was deal! with summarily on the charges of stealing the driver's licence and the two packets of table knives. On the first charge he was convicted and remanded for sentence, tho other charge being dismissed. The hearing of the remaining charges was adjourned until this afternoon.