IMPERSONATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 233, 1 October 1932, Page 10

IMPERSONATION.

BOGUS DETECTIVE. "A GREAT IMAGINATION." YOUNG MAN FINED £10. ■ MAGISTRATE'S SERIOUS VIEW. A young man with a vivid imagination' was before the Police Court this morning, on a charge which the magistrate described as "most serious." Arrested this morning t>y Detectives MeWhirter and March, Eric Guy Whitson, aged 20, of Devonport, was charged with, unlawfully assuming the designation of a member of the New Zealand Police Force —a detective—on September 13. Whitson pleaded guilty. Detective Sergeant Kelly said Whitson, on September 13, went to see a business man in a large city building to discuss another business man. He said that this man was a crook, and that there were defalcations in his books. "Whitson told the business man that he worked in the detective office on probation, and he also tokl some girls that lie was a detective," said Mr. Kelly. "He produced a pair of handcuffs. Apparently Whitson wants to be on probation, as given by this Court, which, would be nothing new to him, as he has three previous convictions." Counsel said that Whitson had been unemployed for some time. "Well, can't he go to one of the camps," suggested Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. "He now has the offer of a job, and I was wondering whether your Worship would give him a chance to get it by suppressing hie name," said counsel. "Not a chance in the world of doing that," said Mr. Hunt. "I could not make such an order in view of his three previous convictions, anyway." Counsel added that Whitson was a special constable during the riois in Auckland — Detective Sergeant Kelly: It is no use referring to that, because he was put off after two days. c "Where did he get the handcuffs from?" asked the magistrate. "From a firm who have been selling surplus military stores," said Mr. Kelly. "The thing is no doubt an aftermath of his period as a special constable during the riots," said counsel for Whiteon. "This young man has got a great imagination. He once imagined he was a great airman." • "This is a most serious thing to impersonate a detective," said Mr. Hunt. "Yes, it is;' that's where graft creeps in," replied Mr. Kelly. Whitson was fined £10, or one month's imprisonment and was allowed seven days in which to pay.