The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Tuesday, October 31, 1967 — Jeremy Anthony James (21) was jailed for five months, and Julian Joseph Meth (24) and William John Stanbury (22) were each fined £25 (or two months) at Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court yesterday for house-breaking to commit a crime unknown.

The Magistrate Mr PJ McCarthy imposed an additional two months’ jail sentence, conditionally suspended for three years, on Meth and Stanbury.

The men, whose addresses were not given, broke into the Great Northern Hotel in Lobengula Street, Bulawayo, on October 10, where they were seen by the night porter.

Meth said he did not go to the hotel with the intention of stealing liquor. He had enough money to pay for it.

James said he was under the influence of alcohol, and Stanbury told Mr McCarthy that he had not gone to the hotel to steal.

Mr McCarthy told the men that they had been in the hotel for 10 to 15 minutes and had not tried to see the manager.

They had also not asked the night porter where the manager slept.

He was satisfied that James had organised the affair and there was every possibility that they went to break into the hotel.

James admitted previous convictions for theft, housebreaking and possession of dagga. Stanbury admitted a previous conviction for riotous or indecent behaviour.

Mr Ian Cross prosecuted.