TO AWAIT SENTENCE

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 521, 2 August 1932, Page 8

TO AWAIT SENTENCE

Labourer Broke Into Two Dwellings. FIRE FOLLOWED BURGLARY. Cyril Matthew Dwyer, alias James Charles Proctor, a labourer, aged twenty-seven 3'ears, of Madras Street, admitted, in the Magistrate's Court this morning, that he broke and entered two dwellings in Chester Street, on t he evening of July 22. He was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence. The charges related to the premises of Frederick William Lyonel Bradford, 157, Chester Street, and Annie Gertrude Jessep, 109, Chester Street.

Chief-Detective Carroll said that the two offences were committed the same night, and the following morning Dwyer was a rrested after he had attempted to dispose of some goods at a second-hand shop. When arrested, he gave the name of Proctor, but it was learnt subsequently that his correct name was Dwyer. Mr Bradford’s house was entered by means of breaking a back window, and jewellery to the value of £l7 was taken. The occupiers of the house were away for the evening. The second house, that at 109, Chester Street, had caught fire after the burglary, and the fire brigade was called out, damage to the extent of about £25 being done. The accused said he may have set the place on fire, but he did not do it wilfully. No charge was laid in respect of that. Saw Smoke Pouring Out.

Mrs Jessep said that she was at the pictures with her daughters when the house was broken into. On returning home they noticed smoke pouring out of the front door. When the fire was extinguished it was found that a pile of bedding had apparently been set on fire. The carpet and floor-boards in one of the rooms were burned. Airs Jessep identified shirts and ties as the property of her son. The contents of a drawer in her son’s bedroom had also been on fire.

In a statement to Detective M’Kenzie, the accused said it was possible that a lighted match might have fallen into the drawer.