YOUNG MEN ADMIT STEALING SKINS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18188, 22 June 1927, Page 8

YOUNG MEN ADMIT STEALING SKINS.

(Special to the “Star.”) DUNEDIN, June 21. In the Police Court this morning two young men from Owaka, Ralph Alexander Renton and James Ronald Renton, were charged with breaking and entering the premises of James Alfred James and stealing a quantity of rabbitskins, valued at £2 6s Bd. Mr A. Lowrie and Mr J. T. Paul, J.P.’s, were on the Bench. Evidence was given by James Alfred James, coachbuilder, and skin buyer, Owaka, who said that a window had been forced and the door leading into the coachbuilding shop opened. About forty skins had been taken. The skins were similar to those produced. Constable Dark said that, on searching the home of the accused, he recovered the skins produced under the roof. A statement made by each of the accused set out that they were told about the skins being in the smithy by Mrs William Renton, a sister-in-law, who advised them to go and get them. At first the accused had refused, but later had gone and put their hands through the window and taken the skins while Mrs Renton watched. The latter had then advised them to hide the skin 9 where they had been found. Both accused pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. Bail previously allowed, in the sum of £SO and one surety of £SO, was renewed- .