EX-LOVER VINDICATED.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17224, 6 October 1927, Page 5

EX-LOVER VINDICATED.

FAILURE OF CHARGE. OVER ENGAGEMENT RING. Vindication of a former lover on a charge of theft wound up a case at North London, which re-echoed a broken romance. It involved an accusation against Alfred Amstell, 20, bag framer, of Jamaica Street, Stepney, of stealing a £75 diamond ring and five £1 notes, belonging to Miss Stella Hecmcr, of Mentmorc Terrace, Hackney.

I During an engagement, lasting two I years, stated Mr C. 11. Hornby, prosecuting, Amstell gave Miss Beemer the ring. They parted, and after an inquiry by a. Jewish tribunal it was decided that the young woman should ! retain it. Later the parties came to- ■ gcthcr again, and Mr Hornby remarked, if he might use the expression, the engagement was "on." Arrangements were made for the marriage to take place in December, and the girl's mother went so far as to pay a caterer tor the celebrations. Amstell stayed at the house on one or two occasions, and on August 1 prosecutrix left her bag, containing the ring ami money, in the kitchen. While the couple were upstairs prisoner made excuses to go down, and, finally, said he was going out to the telephone. lie walked out, and, the prosecution the ring and five £1 notes also waited out with him. .Miss lieemer reported-her loss wiihin an hour to the police. • Cross-examined by Mr Myers, prosecutrix denied, throwing the ring at prisoner. She said she discovered her loss when she went to get her powder, lipstick, ami ring lo go out. Detective Wrangles informed the Bench that Amstell voluntarily went to the police station, ile denied having taken the £5, and added ,"We had a row, and she threw the ring at me. I gave her hack the watch she gave me." When charged, he remarked, "I never saw r/jpenco in her bag, let alone £s.'' He had an excellent character.

Prisoner, while denying the charge, admitted the ring was now in his possession. He alleged he was made to buy it through Miss Beemer's "artfulness and cleverness." On the day in question she taunted him about another boy and the good times she had hod, and he told her he was not in a position to give Iter good times. She then said: "I always went with you against my will; keep your ring," and threw it across the table. He took his watch and chain off, left it there, and went away.

The magistrate, in ordering the acquittal of Amstell, observed, "In this case, there are absolutely no merits one way or the other. 1 do not think for one moment any jury would convict."