HORSE STEALING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13915, 28 May 1909, Page 7

HORSE STEALING.

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE

At ihc Magistrates Court yesterday, before Mr V. G. Day, S.M., a man named Joseph Sweeney, appeared 011 remand. anil pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a horse, saddle and bridle, value £'ls,- from Robert John Thistletou 011 29th March at Teniuka. Sub-Inspector Green conducted the case for the police and called evidence. H. J. Thistleton, livery stable keeper at Teniuka, said he knew the accused who visited his stable at 'i'emiika 011 the Sunday before Easter and' hired a horse, saddle and bridle to ride to Seadown. Accused said lie would return at 4 p.m. the same day. Accused had hired a horse from witness twice previously and paid the hire, but 011 this occasion he did not pay. Accused did not return on the 28th, and when the iiext day passed without any sign of him witness made enquiries about him. The value of the horse, saddle, and bridle was £ln. Witness nextsaw the horse at Makikihi at Mr Simmons' place, on the Wednesday before Easter. He did not authorise the accused to deal with the horse 111 any way. Witness took possession of the horse from Mr Simmons' and 'took it back to ■ Teniuka. William Simmons, farmer af Makikihi. said that lie knew the accused, bavins, setfn him at Makikihi on the 29th Marc-h, when he came there with a horse, saddle, and bridle, telling witness that he wanted to sell ther-. They made a bargain and witne.ss bought the turnout for £3, accused giving him a receipt (produced) for the money. When the owner eame alfout the; horse and claimed it witness gave it to him. Since that time he had not seen accused until •that day. Accused pleaded guilt v. and as he had already been committed to Dunedin Supreme Court, for sentence nn another previous charge, the Magistrate committed him to that place.