JEWELLER’S SHOP ENTERED GERALDINE CASE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 8

JEWELLER’S SHOP ENTERED

GERALDINE CASE

THIEVES’ GRAPHIC STORY’

A graphic description of how, after converting a car in Christchurch, they broke into the premises of a Geraldine jeweller, Mr J. Mcllroy, on May 11 and stole a considerable quantity of jewellery was given by Harry Joseph Lomax (20), Philip Daniel Trainor C 23) and James William Kennington (21) in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The three accused pleaded guilty to the charges and were committed to the Supreme Court at Christchurch for sentence. Mr H. Morgan, S.M., was on the Bench, Detective E. M. Thomas prosecuting.

Statements made to the police in Wellington were produced by Detective N. Kempt. Describing the crime, Trainor said he met in Christchurch two other men, whose identity he did not wish to disclose, and one of them said he knew of a jeweller’s shop in Geraldine that he could get into. They decided to pick up a car and drive to Geraldine. They all met about 10 p.m. and drove off in a car which one of them had stolen. Engine Left Running The car was parked in a side street near the shop in Geraldine with the engine running. One of them opened the door of the shop with a key and two of them went In, while the other kept watch at the door. After having a look round, one went out and sat in the car in case anyone came along while the third man stayed in the shop. The stolen articles were put in a rug and the bundle was placed in the car. When they were about 30 miles on the way back to Christchurch, they stopped on a bridge to examine the stolen property. There was a large wooden chiming clock which they decided was no use to them and threw over the bridge into the riverbed. When they got back to Christchurch one of them left the car somewhere. Accused described the stolen jewellery and the articles which he had received.

A similar statement made by Lomax also was produced. Detective N. Thomson, of Christchurch, said he had interviewed Kennington on June 8 and had obtained from him a statement admitting the crime. Later accused took witness to premises in Domain Terrace, Spreydon, and show'ed him where the jewellery was buried. He said it was all there except a few small items. John Mcllroy said that when he returned to his shop about mid-day on May 12 after locking it up the night before, he found the place ransacked. The shop was locked, entrance having apparently been gained by means of a key. A considerable quantity of jewellery had been stolen. He identified the jewellery produced in Court as his and said it was valued at £7l '1 '6. That was not all that had been stolen, a further £lB/2/- worth not having been recovered. The total value of the stolen jewellery was £B9/9/6. Kennington was also charged with breaking and entering the store of William Thomas Mole, at Geraldine on May 27 and committing theft. Storekeeper’s Account William Thomas Mole said he left his shop locked up about 6 o’clock on May 27 but when he returned at 8.15 next morning he found the front door closed but not locked. A piece of glass had been removed from the office window and the top sash pulled down. It would have been possible for anyone to have put a hand through the window and undo the catch. The safe had been opened and about £7O taken. All the drawers in the office had been ransacked. In addition, an overcoat, some cigarettes, a torch, a green pocket wallet, a watch and chain and a bunch of keys, of a total value of about £7/5/6 had been taken. Witness said he had known accused as a youth. Detective Thomson said he interviewed accused on June 8 and took a statement from him. In the statement Kennington admitted that he hired a rental car in Christchurch and drove to Geraldine. He had opened the window of Mole’s shop and stolen £55 in money. He was sure there was not £7O. He also admitted the theft of the other articles. Accused then took witness to Domain Terrace, Spreydon, where he showed him where the articles were hidden in a shed. He said that was all the articles he had stolen, with the exception of some cigarettes which he had smoked.

Kennington pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court at Christchurch for sentence.