EX-CONSTABLE ACQUITTED

Taranaki Daily News, 9 May 1930, Page 11

EX-CONSTABLE ACQUITTED

FAILURE OF THEFT CHARGES

GOODS FOUND IN HIS HOUSE.

STORY OF A FORMER FIANCEE.'

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Christchurch, May 8.

The trial began in the Supreme Court to-day of Joseph R. Wilson, an ex-constable, on charges of theft of goods from shops in Christchurch. The Crown Prosecutor said the possession of the goods had been traced to Wilson in this way: It was alleged that he gave a fur coat to a girl to whom he was engaged. He had a disagreement with her., and bought' it from her for £l5. The girl said that cutlery was left at her place. There was sufficient to stock a hotel, let alone a constable’s house. The girl first denied that Wilson had given her anything, apparently wishing to shield him, but later she handeef over the fur coat. Wilson denied that he gave any of the articles to the girl, but her statements that he gave them were corroborated by her relatives. It was an important point that Wilson was a constable at the time. If he committed a breach of his duty to protect' the property of tradespeople and used his position to get access to premises it was a very serious matter.

Sergeant McNamara said that if a constable found a shop door open he should report it. No report of that nature was made in respect- to Liberties bn the night of February 28, '19'28. To Mr. Hunter witness said he did not find Wilson off his beat that night. A constable on the beat, was timed, and Wilson that night was where he ought to have been. Witness had always found Wilson a satisfactory constable. Evidence was given by representatives of the shopkeepers concerned that the goods in the possession of the police were identical with goods which had been in their stocks and which had been missed . without having been sold. Gladys Myrtle Johansson said she had been engaged to-Wilson. The marriage had been arranged for June 26 of last year, but the .engagement was broken off in November following ? a quarrel, during which witness threatened to go to the superintendent of police. Wilson had brought a fur coat to her one night saying it was a wedding present. Witness had bought the coat from Wilson for £l5. She had also received two frocks and hose and cutlery from Wilson.

Inspector Fitzpatrick, Greymouth, said that on March 17 he saw Wilson at Auckland and showed him the coat and frocks. Wilson denied having given Miss Johansson the articles. Witness examined Wilson’s place of residence and. discovered there motor tyre levers sharpened. The jury returned after,one hour announcing that they were unable to agree. His Honour informed them that he was unable to accept a disagreement until they had been in retirement four hours. Later the jury returned with a verdict- of not guilty on all counts.