THEFT ALLEGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22954, 4 February 1938, Page 14

THEFT ALLEGED

SUITS OP CLOTHES YOUNG LABOURER CHARGED QUESTION OF IDENTIFICATION Two charges of stealing suits and two of receiving tho stolen goods were brought against James Davidson Ireland, aged 27. a labourer, in the Supremo Court yesterday before Mr. Justice Fair and a jury. Mr. Meredith represented tho Crown and Mr. Sullivan appeared for accused. , Frederick Thomas Bauer, farmer, said that on October 12 he found that a suit of clothes, which he identified, was missing. Mrs. Isabella Brood, a second-hand dealer, said sho bought a suit from accused on October 12. Ho called himself J. Morris. Some time before this witness had bought another suit, from accused, when ho had called himself Ireland. Witness remarked, the second time that tho coat seemed too big for accused, and ho said it was made large to cover a diseased hip. To Mr. Sullivan witness said she \vas interviewed by a detective before tho identification parade where she selected accused as tho ono who sold her a suit. Tho detective showed her a photograph of accused before the parade, but she did not recognise him from that. The detective also showed her photographs of other men. She had a good look at the photograph before the identification parade. The detective said it was .a photograph of accused. To Mr. Meredith witness said there were four or five photographs of different men. Constable Baden James McEwan said he had seen accused on November 18 when he denied knowing anything about the suit. To Mr. Sullivan witness said accused was arrested on November 20 when the identification parade was held. He knew the significance of telling a person who a man was, but ho did not think it was damning to show a photograph beforehand. Witness did the same with three other witnesses. Ho had experience of about three identification parades. The case was adjourned until to-day.