WAHINE’S MAILS

Southland Times, Issue 20769, 9 May 1929, Page 7

WAHINE’S MAILS

DARING ROBBERY ACCUSED MEN FOUND NOT GUILTY ALLEGATIONS AGAINST POLICE (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 8, In the Supreme Court to-day before the Chief Justice, Mr M. Myers, the jury, after a 15 minutes retirement, returned not guilty in the case where Richard Ryan and George Wilfred Ryan were jointly charged that on the night of February 9 last, in company with Thomas Gordon and Arthur Ilenrv William Bevan, they did steal from the Wahine, money and valuables of a total value of £lB4 5/5. Serious allegations against the police were made by Bevan, called by the Crown as. a witness. Bevan said his statement to the police, implicating the Ryans, was not true. “I never discussed with the Ryans,” he said, “the matter of the theft. They (the police) said if I said the Ryans were in it. I would get off with probation. Now I have got two yeans.” In view of the seriousness of the allegations, the judge declared the witness hostile. Under cross examination, Bevan admitted he considered the matter a frame up bv the police. Continuing, witness said he and Gordon arranged the robbery and that the Ryans had nothing to do with it. Summing up, the Chief Justice said the case was, and must be in the circumstances, not that the Ryans went down into fhe hold, but that they were parties to the offence the substance of which was committed by Gordon or by Gordon and Bevan. In the circumstances, the jury could take no notice whatever of the statement of Bevan and his Honour suggested there was not sufficient evidence to make it safe to convict the two accused. The case was really a weak one on the evidence. Dealing with the allegations against the detectives which, if true said the judge, would plainly indicate those detectives were not fit members of the police force (and he did not believe for one moment the allegations were true) he said such allegations show the risk the police themselves sometimes take in the execution of their duty and it shows the whole matter of taking statements from accused persons and others requires some consideration, not only for the persons from whom the statements are taken, but for the police officers themselves. “I think it only fair to the police officers that these remarks should be made.” The verdict was as above. The two brothers are awaiting trial in another case. Bail was allowed Richard. Ryan in a sum of £2OO with two sureties each of £2OO.