CLOTHING STOLEN FROM PARKED CAR; TWO MEN FOR SENTENCE

Wanganui Chronicle, 2 November 1950, Page 7

CLOTHING STOLEN FROM PARKED CAR; TWO MEN FOR SENTENCE

How a commercial traveller representing a Wellington firm of clothing manufacturers parked his car outside an hotel in Ridgway Street late on the night of October 2 last, and next morning found that two suitcases containing men’s working clothing and overcoats, of a total value of £9O, were missing, was told before Justices in the Magistrate’s Court, Wanganui, yesterday, when two young men were charged with the theft of the clothing. Accused were James Baxter, labourer, aged 22, and Peter Ray Packer, labourer, aged 19. They pleaded guilty to a joint charge of stealing articles to the value of £9O, the property of McCaskey’s Relax Ltd., Wellington, and were committed to the Supreme Court, Wanganui, next week for sentence. Evidence showed that the property had been recovered with the exception of clothing valued at £2l 10s. Detective-Sergeant W. Ritchie, of the Criminal Investigation Branch, Wanganui, prosecuted. Baxter was represented by Mr K. R. Horsley and Mr J. S. D. Tizard appeared for Packer. Both counsel intimated that the accused were already on bail pending sentence next week on other charges for which they had previously pleadguilty. A renewal of bail was sought on the same terms, but this was refused by Messrs W. F. Durward and L. V. Kerby, who were on the Bench. Called to give evidence for the police, Derek James Adams, commercial traveller, Wellington, said he parked his car in Ridgway Street at 11 p.m. on October 2. Next morning he found that two suitcases and a leather satchel were missing. The contents included samples, men’s trousers and working shirts, working clothing, overcoats and oily canvas wear. The total value was approximately £9O. The doors of the car were locked at night, but in the morning he found that a draught window on the side had been forced and the glass window of one of the side doors unwound, said witness. That afternoon he was shown two suitcases which had been recovered by the police. Some of the contents were still there. Witness produced a list of the missing property, valued at £26 10s, and identified other clothing produced in Court as having been taken from his car. Detective C. Dudley, of the C. 1.8., Wanganui, said the two suitcases and contents were found abandoned in a vacant section in Gonville Avenue. Inquiries were continued and on the morning of October 26, with Constable A. A. Fraser, witness interviewed Packer, who made a statement admitting the offence. Baxter was also interviewed the same day and also made a statement. Packer, in his statement, said that on the night of October 2 he was with Baxter in Ridgway Street when they saw the parked car. After removing the suitcases, the statement continued, the two men went through the clothing and picked out the articles they wanted. “Packer appeared to be truthful and gave me the impression that ha wanted the matter cleared up,” said witness. To Mr Horsley, witness said that Baxter was also co-operative. Constable A. A. Fraser, attached to the C. 1.8., Wanganui, said Baxter admitted having stolen the property. In his statement he said that one of the small side windows of the car was partly opened. This enabled the front door on the left-hand side to be opened. The suitcases were removed through a rear door. After pleading guilty the accused were committed for sentence.