THEFT CHARGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22725, 11 May 1937, Page 14

THEFT CHARGES

THREE YOUNG MEN MANY EXHIBITS IN COURT ONE ACCUSED PLEADS GUILTY A series of charges relating to thefts from launches, a shop and a motor-car was preferred against three young men, Joseph William Murphy, timber worker, aged 19 (Mr. Winter), Darcy Ronald Growden, labourer, aged '26 (Mr. Burns), and Albert Edward Hughes, labourer, aged 20, when they appeared in the Police Court yesterday before Mr. M. Guthrie and Mr. L. S. Rickorbv, J.P.'s. There were 12 charges against Murphy, seven against Growden and six against Hughes. In five cases Murphy was jointly charged with Growden, and in another five with Hughes. The value of property alleged to have been stolen totalled over £llO, exclusive of the value of a motor-car, alleged to have been wrongfully converted to their own use by two of the accused. The articles concerned included a portable radio set, three overcoats, three sots of lodge regalia, a motpr-car battery, a motor-car tyre, tube and rim, petrol and three bicycles. The launches named in the charges were Mr. Alfred Court's Ramona, Mr. T. V. Masefield's Ocnone, and Mr. G. F. Bcllve's Cyrena. The motor-car belonged to Mr. M. I. Tonks, and the shop referred to in the charges was that of Mr. 10. Osbolstine, of Point Chevalier Avenue. Many Witnesses Galled Evidence was given by 11 persons who lost property, most of them identifying the various articles concerned from among the large quantity of exhibits produced in Court. A youth also explained how lie found portion of the stolen lodge regalia under the Whau Bridge, while he was swimming there. The accused Hughes gave evidence that on the night of April 11 he drove his own car to Murphy's home in Hcrne Bay, and they went to Point Chevalier They prised a shop door open with a car tyre lever. Murphy crawling inside while witness kept guard. The goods Murphy pushed outside were put in the car, and when they reached Murphy'* home most of the stolen property was placed under the house. Visit to Launch Described "The same night we took a small dinghy from Masefield's Point, and rowed out to the launch Ramona," Hughes continued. "We forced the hatchway open with a tyre lever, and took away a quantity of goods. Whilo walking down Shelly Beach Road on the night of April 19, Murphy and I converted a motor-car to our own use. L drove it some distance before we abandoned .it, but not at the spot where it was located later." Detective S. C. Whitehead gave evidence of inquiries made about the thefts, and produced several statements from the accused. He said most of the stolen property was found in •Hughes' car, and more was discovered under Murphy's house. When arrested and searched at the police station on April 24, Murphy and Growden both had stolen articles in their possession. Murphy and Growden pleaded not guilty, and wore committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Hughes admitted the charges against him, and was committed for sentence. Each accused was granted bail.