SHOP THIEF SENTENCED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2254, 28 July 1908, Page 2

SHOP THIEF SENTENCED.

STEALS BOOTS AND FANCY GOODS.

Somo little ’time was occupied at tho Police Court yesterday morning before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., in hearing two charges of theft against a young man named Ernest Torr, who only arrived in Gisborne on Saturday morning from Hastings. On the first count he was charged with stealing fancy goods to tho value of 325, tho prop’orty of George Smith, and tho second was one of having appropriated a pair of boots, from the premises of Messrs Hallenstein Bros., both on Saturday evening. Sergt. Hutton conducted 'he prosecution and accused was represented by Mr E. H. Maim. Tho charges wore taken fi-paralely and to the first accused f. leaded “not guilty.” Frank Melville, shop assistant for George Smith, said that lie saw tho accused in the shop on Saturday night. Accused was standing in tho shop and witness was writing a letter, when he hoard the lid of a showcase fall. Mr C. Smith asked accused what he was doing, and accused replied, “I am not doing anything. Immediately afterwards accused said, “To toll you tho truth I took this,” and produced, a ease of cigarette holders from his pocket. A search of accused was then made, and a quantity of fancy goods were discovered concealed about his person. Accused bad no right to take the articles, which witness valued at from 30s to 355. To the Bench'; After being searched accused said: “I was starving or I would not have done it. please lot me go this time.” Accused appeared to be perfectly sober.

To Mr Mann : lie was quite positive that the accused was the man who took the goods. He came to the shop on Saturday evening between 5.30 and 6 p.m. and the gas was alight. Charles Smith, hairdresser, stated that he was in his brother’s shop on Saturday evening and saw accused there. Accused was sitting on a box in front of the showcase, and while ho was there witness heard the lid of the case fall. He then suspected something and called out; “What have you got in your pocket?” Accused replied “Nothing,” and witness said: “Let’s have a look.” Tho articles (produced) were those taken out of the prisoner’s pockets. To Mr Man u: He had no doubt as to the identity of the accused.

Duncan McPherson, constable, gave evidence as to the arrest of accused in Gladstone Road about 8 p.m. Ho took accused to Geo. Smith’s shop where lie was identified. Prior to arresting accused witness said : “What were you doing in Smith’s shop tonight,” and accused replied that ho was never in Smith’s shop and had just arrived from Hastings that morning.

Mr Mann said that his instructions in tho case were entirely different to the state of things disclosed by tho evidence, and under the circumstances he would say nothing. The second charge was then proceeded with and apparently acting on the advice of his counsel, accused pleaded guilty. His Worship said lie had no doubt that accused had committed the theft. Ho held in liis hand a list of previous convictions against tho accused, wnich showed, that lie had been convicted of vagrancy in October last. Tt was certainly not a case where the provisions of the First Offender’s Act could be applied. Accused would be sentenced on each charge to. two months’ imprisonment with hard labor, the sentences to be concurrent.