JEWELLER IN COURT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 134, 8 June 1934, Page 4

JEWELLER IN COURT

SEQUEL TO BURGLARY. THIEF’S STATEMENTS. I Per Press Association. | CHRISTCHURCH, June 7. Thomas Hornsby, aged 34, a citj jeweller and gold buyer, was charged before the magistrate (Mr. Mosley) this morning with receiving from Ronald Dempsey Crook articles of jewellery valued at £45, knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained. This was the sequel to the burglary of the home of Colonel J. Murphy, at Fendalton, on May 25. Accused was further charged ■with committing a breach of the Second-hand Dealers’ Act by failing to enter th-a purchases in the second-hand book. He pleaded not guilty. Mrs. Murphy identified the jewellery produced. The most important witness ’ was Ronald Dempsey Crook, who stated that he was qOw awaiting sentence foi breaking and entering charges, including one concerning Murphy’s house. Witness gave evidence describing the method he allegedly adopted in disposing of certain articles. “We used to take the jewellery home, take it to pieces, and later sell it to Hornsby in. Regent Street. We went in all about ten or twelve times to Hornsby’s. On one or two occasions we took pieces to other places, but owing to particulars they took from us we could not return. We knew when they checked up they would know it was stolen.’’ On one occasion Hornsby told witness that the police were.no friends of his and that should occasion arise Hornsby would not identify witness in a police parade. He had sold Murphy’s jewellery to Hornsby for £5. Accused was committed for trial on the receiving charge. On the second charge, breach of the Act, he pleaded guilty and was convicted and fined £5 and costs. His license as a secondhand dealer was cancelled.