BURGLARY AND FIRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 67

BURGLARY AND FIRE.

SEQUEL IN POLICE COURT.

MAN AND WOMAN CHARGED. NAPIER, September 19.

The sequel to a burglary and a fire in the Club Sample Rooms in Herescbril street in Napier on July 19 was heard in the Police Court to-day, when John Lee Aston and Mary Bridget O’Neill were committed for trial on charges of arson and breaking and entering and theft. The evidence showed that the fires were started in several different places in the sample rooms. Goods were disarranged and the owners deposed as to the losses. Several witnesses gave evidence that the male accused approached them and offered for sale clothing similar to that stolen.

The police stated that a search of the cottage in which the two accused live! together resulted in the finding of certain goods similar to those stolen, and two price tickets found in the woman’s box were identified by the occupier of the sample rooms. Both the accused denied knowledge of the crime. A witness called for the defence said that he slept at the accused’s house on the night of the fire and that no one could have left without rousing him. In view of this counsel contended that the accused could only be charged w’ith receiving. However, the justices committed both accuse# for trial on all thre« charges.