ALLEGED THEFT OF CAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 3804, 8 February 1927, Page 33

ALLEGED THEFT OF CAR.

ADVICE TO ACCUSED. WELLINGTON, February 2. After a retirement of one hour the jury found William Victor Alley, who was charged in the Supreme Court to-day. before the Chief Justice (Sir Charles Skerrett), not guiltj- of the theft of a motor car, valued at £375, from his uncle, George Alley, farmer, at Katikati. Accused, in his statement to the police, said his uncle owed him £9 for work lone, and, as he was a bit tight about the money, he (accused) wanted to get “one on to uncle” by taking one of his cars. George Alley said accused had no authority to use any of his cars. The one stolen was damaged by accused to the extent of £4O. and several tools were missing. The £9 was to have been paid under a contract which accused broke by leaving of his own accord before the completion of the work. “I think if you knew as much about the prisoner as I do,” said the Chief Justice to the jury after the verdict, '‘you would not have arrived at that conclusion.” But he believed that on the evidence the jury had been quite justified in coming to its decision. He pointed out, however, that .he prisoner’s record had been a very bad one. In discharging the prisoner, his Honor said he hoped he would profit by his escape. “It is quite certain,” he said, “that unless you turn over a new leaf it will not be long before you are here again.”