BREAKING AND ENTERING

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 50, 3 May 1928, Page 6

BREAKING AND ENTERING

YOUNG MAN PLEADS GUILTY.

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE.

William Patrick Leary, a young man of years, appeared on remand at the New Plymouth Police Court before Messrs S. G. Smith and P. J. H. White, J.P.’s, on a charge of breaking and entering the premises of H. Ward, Ltd., on April 27, and stealing a watch valued at 7s’; also with attempting, on the same date, to break and enter the dwelling-house of Dr. P. C. Davie, with intent to commit a crime.

Detective Meiklejohn appeared for the police and Mr G. Macallan represented the accused. Evidence was given by Leslie R. Little as to the finding of the back window of his business premises broken and traces of someone having roamed through the building apparently in search of money. There wei’e marks of blood about the building and a number of spent matche s which had evidently been used by the intruder to light him about the place. No money had been left in the shop. The watch and the matchbox produced w’ere similar to the articles which had been in his office.

Detective Meiklejohn gave evidence of the arrest of the accused on Saturday afternoon. At the police station he made a statement admitting the offence. He said he came to New Zealand about 15 months ago, having worked his Passage out on a boat. Since coming ito New Zealand he had been engaged in farming work. He arrived in New Plymouth about a week ago with £5, but had spent that money, and he broke into the place in. the hope of getting money. In connection with the case of attempting to break into Dr. Davie’s residence, evidence was given by Marjorie Gardener, a housemaid, who stated she was awakened about five minutes to five on Saturday morning by feeling something pass Over her 'neck. She sat |.p in bed and drew the curtains across the window, which she had left about half open o n retiring the previous evening. She then saw the figure of a man outside, and she concluded that it was his hand that had touched her. He approached the window again, and then witness called out and Mrs Davie came down and rang for the police. The man, whom she could not recognise, disappeared round the east side of the house. ' j• • ■■ Mbiillii

Detective Meiklejohn produced a statement made by the accused in which he admitted the offence. He stated that he wanted money and intended entering the house in the hope of obtaining some. When the girl ■ called out he ran away, but remained where he could hear the telephone message sent to the police that there wa s a man in the back yard; He then jumped the wail and Cleared out, and remained about town until he was: arrested. The accused pleaded guilty to both charges and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. On a charge of mischief by damaging a pane of glass at Ward’s shop he pleaded guilty and was convicted and ordered to pay the amount of the damage (10s 6d).— jHerald.