WOMAN’S ERROR.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20361, 19 July 1934, Page 5

WOMAN’S ERROR.

Identity of Man Seen in Bedroom. AN APPEAL UPHELD. (Special to the ” Star.”)' SYDNEY, July 6. Early in May Miss Valma Roach switched on the electric light in one of the bedrooms in her home at Randwick, Sydney, and saw a man in the room. The next instant the man disappeared through an open window. Next evening Miss Roach saw a man board a Coogee-bound tram in the city. She was positive that he was the man she saw in the bedroom at her home. She boarded the tram and when he alighted she followed him to his home at Randwick. The police were notified and the sequel was the appearance before the Police Court of Stanley James Callaghan. who was charged with having been found in a dwelling house with intent to steal. Evidence was given that Miss Roach had positively identified Callaghan as the man she saw for a moment or two in the full glare of the electric light in the bedroom. Callaghan denied the charge and stated that on the night Miss Roach alleged she saw him he had tea at home with his wife and little daughter, read a newspaper and retired without having gone out. His evidence was corroborated by Amy Callaghan, his wife, and Harold Austin, who also resided at Callaghan's home. The magistrate convicted Callaghan and imposed a sentence of six months’ imprisonment. Against the conviction and sentence Callaghan appealed recently to Judge Edwards. Evidence was called as to Callaghan’s good character. It was claimed, on his behalf, that the cpse was one of mistaken identity! Ilis Honor allowed the appeal and quashed the conviction.