DINNER FOR SIXTEEN.

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18625, 2 May 1932, Page 9

DINNER FOR SIXTEEN.

BOY’S HOTEL ESCAPADE. ARREST AT DANCE. Details of the alleged escapade of a 16-year-old hoy, who was stated to have ordered dinner at a London hotel for 16 guests, 'but did not keep the engagement, were given at Bow Street. Before the magistrate appeared: John Marsh, law student, of Old Road, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, who was charged with stealing jewellery and clothing from bedrooms at the White Hall Hotel, Bloomsbury. Detective Daws told the Court that Marsh ran away from his homo at Chesterfield three weeks ago with £4. After staying for a time in Sheffield, ■he went to London and engaged a room at the While Hall Hotel, representing that he was 'training to be a barrister. About -.£70 worth of jewellery and •other tilings were missed from two bedrooms and suspicion fell upon the stair. Subsequently Marsh ordered a dinner j to be prepared for 16 guests. At the • appointed hour no one arrived, and he purported lo telephone, but it was I noticed that on raising the receiver 1 he kept his finger pressed on the hook. Wlnos foe tho Walters. Afterwards, proceeded the officer. Marsh stated that there had been a misunderstanding, and that his party

had gone 'to a dance at the Royal Opera'i House by mistake. He asked that the wines, which had been specially procured, should be given to the waiters, and he promised to pay the bill on the following Wednesday. Later, Marsh was arrested 'at ai dance at the Royal Opera House and he then, alleged Detective Dawes, made a full confession. / ' 1 Marsh, continued the detective, produced some of the jewels from hisr pockets, and other articles were found in his room concealed under the oarpet, in a mattress .and in a wardrobe, ■together with a large suitoase, the lock of which had been forced. Marsh had stated that he ran awayfrom home once bofore, and he refused to return under any circumstances. Ho was owing money *t' another hotel in London. . J Marsh was remanded. ’ ; a ~