CHARGES DENIED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 14

CHARGES DENIED

GOODS FROM VIIJARAOK ACCUSED ADMITS SELLING CONVICTED OF RECEIVING Silver, brass and crystal ware valued at*£7 2s (3d, allegedly stolen from Dean W. Fancourt's home on October 28 last, werp produced in support of- charges of breaking and entering and thclt, theft, and receiving goods knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained, preferred against Herbert John Donelan, married, aged 48,* who was tried before the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, and a jury in the Supreme i Court yesterday. Accused pleaded not guilty to all counts. Evidence was given that the articles were sold to a second-hand dealer, and later recovered. Accused made a statement to the police admitting selling tho goods, which lie said lie sold loi a man he met in the bar of a hotel at Newmarket. . Counsel said the case was like many others about the man who met another and sold stolen goods for him, only to bo subsequently arrested, but submitted there was an elejnent of truth about it that others lacked. Accused testified that he had been unemployed for eight months, and received an allowance' for his family of six children. He denied knowledge of the whereabouts of Dean Fancourt's vicarage. In reply to His Honor, accused said he was to Receive a cqupje of drinks for selling the goods. Counsel' submitted accused's action in selling the goods was that of a man fuddled with drink and not that of a criminal. The jury returned fn 50 minutes with the verdict of guilty on the charge of receiving. Accused was remanded to appear for sentence on Friday morning.