THEFT OF BICYCLE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 271, 29 August 1935, Page 6

THEFT OF BICYCLE

“TAKEN FOR EXERCISE.”

MAN APPEARS IN COURT. After serving a sentence of two months for the theft of a bicycle in Central Otago, Charles Frederick Smith, aged 34, was released from Paparua Prison last Saturday, and made his way to Ashburton. Taking a ‘ bicycle from outside an office in West Street yesterday he rode away on it, and in the evening he went to the vicinjty of the swaggers’ hut near the Ashburton traffic bridge. Unfortunately for him, there happened to be at the hut a constable who knew that the stranger dicl not own a bicycle. The officer (Constable J. E. R. Myers) questioned him, and ascertained that the bicycle had been taken so that Smith “could have some exercise.” Smith was taken to the cells, and this morning lie appeared before Mr W. H. Rundle, J.P., and Mr A. H. Fenn, J.P. He pleaded guilty to a charge of theft, and Sergeant J. F. Cleary outlined the case. Ho stated that the ownership of the bicycle had not been established.

Asked if he had anything to say, accused replied:. “I had no intention of stealing the bicycle. I took it for exercise, and intended to put it back where I got it. Could you give me another chance?”

After perusing a list of accused’s previous convictions, the Bench convicted accused and ordered him to come up for sentence if called on in three months, at the same time warning him to behave himself during the three months.