CHARGE OF ROBBERY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3148, 15 July 1914, Page 48

CHARGE OF ROBBERY.

GISBORNE, July 13. John Robert Marsh and William Johnston were charged with having burglariously entered the slhop of Mr H. J. Grieve, jeweller, on June 12. The case against Marsh, was heard first. The accused pleaded not guilty to theft, but guilty of receiving a watch which had, been found in his possession. Mr Grieve, in the course of his evidence, stated that the jewellery taken from his premises was valued at between JBIbOO and £I7OO. Detective M‘Leod said that the accused Marsh admitted that lie had a watch, the proceeds of the burglary, given him by a man to keep his mouth shut. Marsh was committed for trial on the charge of theft, and was committed for sentence, hail being fixed in his own recognisance of £SOO and two sureties for £SOO each. The case against Johnston was then pro ceeded with. 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 out from under the house a bag filled with jewellery. Witness put his hand in tho bag and took a watch. Johnston took some jewellery also, and then replaced the bag under the house. Johnston said that the man who robbed vo’s shop had arranged to plunder another store that night, and he (Marsh) and Johnston waited to assist him, but ho failed to turn up. Marsh said he had no idea who this man was. That was all he knotv of the robbery.—The accused Johnston, when arrested at Tolaga Bay, made a statement that tho day following the burglary ho met a man, who told him ho had broken into Gricve’s. Ho showed him tho “ swag,” planted under an empty house. Johnston agreed to assist him to shift 1 lie stuff. Subsequently he visted the place wilh Marsh, and the latter took a watch. He (Johnston) took various articles, valued at £3O. Marsh’s statement that ho had arranged with a man to break into another shop was untrue. Ho (Johnston) took no part in the robbery. That was all he knew about it.—Johnston pleaded guilty to receiving and not guilty to burglary. > He was committed for sentence and for trial.—Bail was fixed at tha some amount as for Marsh.