GISBORNE BURGLARY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8784, 14 July 1914, Page 8

GISBORNE BURGLARY

TWO MEN BEFORE THE COURT. Press Association. GISBORNE, July 13. John Robert Marsh and William Johnston 'were charged to-day with leaving committed burglary at the shop of H. J. Grieve, jeweller,! on 1 June 12th. The case against Marsh was heard first. Accused pleaded not guilty j to theft, but guilty of receiving a| watch which was found in his possession. Grieve, in his, evidence, stated that tho jewellery taken was valued at between £I6OO and £I7OO. Detective McLeod said accused Marsh admitted he had a watch, one of tho proceeds of the burglary, given him by a man to keep his mouth shut.

Marsh was committed for trial on tho charge of theft and committed for sentence for receiving. Bail in £SOO and two sureties of £SOO each was fixed. Tho case against Johnston was then taken. Marsh, in , a signed statement, said that on the Saturday evening after the robbery, he met the accused Johnston, who took him to an unoccupied house and pulled a hag out from under tho house. It was filled with jewellery. Witness put his hand in the bag and took out a watch. Johnston took some jewellery also, and then replaced the bag under the house. Johnston said, tho man who robbed Grieve’s shop had arranged to plunder another store that night, and he (Marsh) and Johnston waited to assist him, but the man failed to turn up. Marsh said he had no idea who he was; that was all he'knew of the robbery. The accused man Johnston, when arrested at Tolaga Bay, made a statement that the day following the burglary he met. a man who told him that he had broken into Grieve’s, and showed him a swag planted under an empty house. He (Johnston) agreed to assist him to shift the stuff, find subsequently visited the place with Marsh. The latter took a watch, and ho (Johnston) various articles, valued at £3O. Marsh’s statement* that he had arranged with a man to break into another shop was untrue. He (Johnston) took no part in the robbery; that was all he knew about it. Johnston pleaded guilty of receiving, but not guilty of burglary. He was committed for sentence and trial, bail as fixed for Marsh being allowed.