A PECULIAR CASE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17694, 21 October 1919, Page 4

A PECULIAR CASE.

PROSECUTION BREAKS DOWIf*

ACCUSED MAN ALLOWED dOSTS. ®

A young man named Cyril Jones was charged with stealing a sov.ereign case and some ties and collars, valued at £2, the property of Bruce Stewart

Senior-Sergeant Bourke said accused and complainant were staying at Pines boarding-house and the articles were missed from complainant's possession. ';.:

The complainant went into the witness box and said the accused was not the person who stole the ties. ,*■„ In reply to a question from his 7 Worship, complainant said he had*. lost a sovereign case, some ties afid collars, and 1914 pennies. He' valued the sovereign case at £3 10s. His Worship (to accused): Do you want to ask the witness ,aiiy. questions?— No. He says he does not know you?---r I don't know him either. (Laugh.l ter). Sergeant Bourke said he believed they had brought the wrong man before the Court. The summons was served in New Plymouth and it was evidently the wrong person. .

His Worship said there was no evidence against the accused whatever and the charge would be dismissed. There appeared to be no reason why: he should be served with a summons and no explanation had been given. Accused would also be allowed 30s costs. '.'

Subsequently the case was again referred to Senior-Sergeant Bourke stating tbat the man Avho purchased the goods was prepared. to swear that the accused was the man.

His Worship said he had dismissed the case and he would not reopen, it.