A PICKPOCKET

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11415, 11 January 1923, Page 5

A PICKPOCKET

CAUGHT AT ATHLETIC PARK WHAT OCCURRED WHILE THE AMERICANS COMPETED. STEALING £1 NOTES AT GATE. As the sequel to an incident which occurred at Athletic Park last Saturday, James Williams, alias Hayes James diaries, alias Holmes, alias Montgomery, appeared before Mr E. Page, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and was changed with stealing from the person of Frederick Dorizao, gatekeeper at Athletic Park, the sum of £lO. .Mr A. B. Sievwright appeared for the accused, and Senior-Detective Lewis proseouted. “This man,” said the senior-detec-tive, “stole £lO from the gatekeeper at Athletic Park on Saturday while tho sports were in progress.” ENTERED FIVE TIMES. Frederick Dorizac, residing at 24, Palm Grove, said he was in charge of one of tlie stiles at Athletic Park on the Saturday in question. He had been with the New Zealand Rugby Union as a gatekeeper at various parks for over 23 years. The aocused man passed through his stile five or sis times during the afternoon and paid for admission each time. “On one occasion he came up behind me and said he wished to see two ladies outside. I could not let him pass out through my stile ns it is only meant to admit.” He told the accused to go round to another gate and he would he let out. On several other occasions witness said the accused man brushed passed the side of him. BALANCING-UP TIME. “What time did you balainoe-up ?” asked Senior-Deteotive Lewis.

“About 4 o’clock,” answered the witness.

What did yon find them? —I fpund that I had no £1 notes left in my pocket. There were other notes. On discovering the. shortage you communicated with Detective Revell ? —Yea.

When next did you see accused ?~ About half an hour after, in the grandstand.

Mr Sievwright (to witness): Would it be fair to say that the notes you Were putting into your pocket could be seen by passers-by P “If they were that way inclined, yes,” answered witness.. Senior-Deteotive Lewis: Did anyone else lean against you?—No. Did anyone else endeavour to oome out through the turn-stile? —No. ‘Did you know the aocused before?— No. SUSPICIOUS ACTIONS. Thomas Johnston, residing at 122, Brougham .street, said he was employed as a gatekeeper at Athletic Park on Saturday. There was no money taken at his gate. Only complimentary and reserve tieketholders were admitted. The aoensed passed out through his gate, but did not re-enter 'by it. The only other way to get in was .by paying’ at the stile. He thought it strange that a man should pay five or six times to gain admission to the grounds. He had no difficulty in again recognising the man. DETECTIVE’S EVIDENCE. Detective Revell said he was on duty at Athletic Park ou Saturday, and Dorizac and Johnston pointed the aocused out to him near the grandstand. “I approached and tola him who I was. I also told him that Dorizao had complained of the theft of £lO from his pocket. Ithen took the accused to the rear of the grandstand. I asked the accused what money he had on him. The accused produced a roll of £lO from his righthand trouser pocket, and another roll of £lO from his left-hajnd trouser pocket. The money in the right-hand pocket consisted or six £1 notes and eight 10s notes. ACCUSED’S STATEMENT. Later, at the police station, the aocused made a statement to Detective Revell. It read as follows:—“I, James Williams, am a general labourer by oc-, cupation, but sometimes follow the occupation •of a shearer. I am down from Palmerston North on a week’s holiday. To-day. I attended the Athletic Park sports. I arrived at the IPark about 2 p.m. I had been drinking. As I was going through the stile at the entrance I noticed some notes sticking out of the gatekeeper’s pocket. I cannot explain what possessed me, but I put my hand into th© man’s pocket and took some notes. I do not know how many notes I took. On two or three oocaaions I approached the man and got into conversation with him, and on each occasion I took notes from his pocket. I do not know how many notes I got altogether from the man. I had not counted (he. money before it was taken by the police. I might state that I have never been tempted to steal before, and I am satisfied that if I had been perfectly sober to-day 1 would never have taken the money.” COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE.

The accused pleaded guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.