BICYCLE THEFTS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 2813, 23 July 1927, Page 5

BICYCLE THEFTS

STRANGER IN THE TOWN.

IDLE AND DISORDERLY. Robi,n Tanton (Mr Kingsford), a-middle-aged man, pleaded guilty before Messrs H. Alan Bell and H. \Y. Smales, J’s.P., at the local Police Court this morning charged with being an idle and disorderly person without visible means of support.

Constable Cleary stated that four weeks ago his attention was drawn to accused, who was loitering about the streets. Mr Railton Bycroft had doscribed a man who had attempted to sell two bicycles. Witness later saw aecused near Carter’s ship in Duke St. east, \yitness went into the shop and when he came out he saw accused hurriedly mount a cycle and ride away. Ho kept accused under observation and from his actions he was satisfied that accused was making a practice of thieving bicycles. Freni inquiries made witness ascertained that accused had been travelling between Taupiri, Hamilton and Cambridge. Constable Floury said he had seen accused frequenting hotels and accosting people in the street. Railton Bycroft, cycle dealer, said he first saw accused on June 25th. Ho came into witness’ shop with a bicycle which he wanted to sell for 30/. He told witness that he was going to work for Mr Taylor at “Bardowie.” Witness remarked that there was agood deal of pinching going on. Accused then “sloped.” A week later accused again came into the shop and offered another cycle to witness at £3 10/. Cross-examined witness admitted that it was “peculiar” that accused returned to him a second time to dispose of a bicycle. He informed witness that he sold the first machine for 30/. Accused in the witness box said ho came to New Zealand 10 months ago from Vancouver. He had a farm at Alberta which was leased out and his mother was receiving the rent from the farm. He bought the first bicycle front a man named Albert Timmins, of Orini. When not travelling his mother resided at Melbourne. He had cabled over for money three times and his mother always responded.

Cross-examined accused said his mother was not residing at Devonport, although the family had resided there thirty years ago. He admitted he had stolen a pair of pliers at Pukekohe and some spoons. Charge of Theft. At this stage a further charge pi theft was preferred against accused, to which he pleaded not guilty. Henry Carter, a second-hand dealer, said he bought a bicycle from accused on June 17th for 15/. Accused gave the name of G. Langham, of “Bardowie.” He was certain that the bicycle in Court was the one he purchased. Constable Cleary stated that he had been advised by the Hamilton Hast police that the cycle in the Court was one stolen from outside the bowling green. It had been identified by a resident as his. property.

Counsel for apeused said he had ter submit that there was a serious doubt that accused had committed a theft in respect to the bicycle in the Court. Accused was emphatic that the cycle he sold to Mr Carter had one handle-grip missing.

At this stage there was considerable cross-talk between the, police and Jl? ’Kingsford over what. the former described as a Court technicality, the alleged owner of the cycle not being present to give evidence for the prosecution. (Loft Sitting). >