ABOUT A FUR COAT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17343, 16 July 1924, Page 7

ABOUT A FUR COAT.

CHARGE OF THEFT. INCIDENT IN DRAPERY HOUSE. In the Alagistrate’s Court today Owen Patrick Brosnahan was charged with the theft of a lady’s marmot fur coat, valued at £44 2s, the property of J. Ballantyne and Co., Ltd. Alessrs J. H. Seager, J.P., and H. F. Herbert, J.P., were on the bench. Sub-Inspec-tor Al’llveney prosecuted. Accused was not represented by counsel. Henry Blakeley, assistant manager for the company, said he saw the accused about 1.20 p.m. on the date mentioned in the office. He spoke to accused about the coat and later handei him over to the police. When asked if he had any questions, Brosnahan inquired if the Bench couhl give any indications of their intention of dealing with the matter. AN OFFER BY ACCUSED. The Bench said it was an indictable case. Accused: If your Worships are prepared to deal with the matter, I am prepared to take a certain course. The Bench intimated that the case would have t-o go to the Supreme Court. Gladys Spurgeon, shop assistant, said she saw the accused in the mantle department, and approached him askinc if there was anything he would like to see. Brosnahan said he wanted to see the fur buyer. She told him that the buyer was out, and asked accused to wait. He had a suitcase with him. He went up the show room and when he cam© back he a green ticket in his hand as if he was writing on it. After going to the telephone witness saw Brosnahan coming down the middle of the show room He had a suitcase in his right hand and had taken his own overcoat off and was carrying it over his arm. She noticed part of a white ticket hanging out, and as accused walked out of the door she saw part of the fur coat, which was under his own coas. The next time she saw accused was when he was brought back to the shop; he had the coat hanging cn his arm. EXAMINING COATS. Agnes Lewis, shop assistant, said she saw the accused at the fur coat case at tho bottom of the show- room examining coats. He ivas an overcoat of a greenish colour. Next she saw accused walking along The show room towards the door which led to the shop. He was carrying his overcoat, and witness saw a ticket hanging from it. She saw the accused going out of the shop, and informed the floor superintendent that a man had taken a fur coat. She accompanied Air Hurst into the street and out the accused. Accused: What colour coat do you claim that I wore ? Witness: It was green coloured. Do you say that my movements were hurried?-—No. Do you say that- I ran out of the door? —No, you walkedWhat condition was I in ?—what do you mean ? Would you say I was sober or helplessly drunk? —1 should say you were sober. Before further evidence was called, accused drew attention to the fact that witnesses were in Court, and might anticipate his questions. The Bench : It is rather late now. Robert C. Hurst, floor superintendent, said that, in consequence of what the previous witness had said, he went into Cashel StYeet. She accompanied him to the door and pointed out a man, who, she said, had got away with one of the coats. Witness approached Brosnahan and asked him for a reoeipt. Accused could not produce a receipt and witness took him to the manager’s office. HAD A DRINK. Accused: How would you describe my condition ?—you had had a drink or two evidently, but I should not say you were drunk. Did I appear to have been drinking heavily P—Not on the day in question. Constable D. M’Kenzi© gave evidence as to the arrest of accused. He was wearing a bluish grey overcoat. The accused smelt of drink, but he was not drunk. Witness took the accused to the police station and charged him with the theft of the coat. He made no reply to the charge. When asked if he had anything to say, accused replied: Your Worship, I formally plead not guilty to the charge and elect to be dealt with by a superior court. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.