TAXI RIDES BY FRAUD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 13

TAXI RIDES BY FRAUD.

MAN'S CURIOUS MANIA. TERM OF IMPRISONMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) TAUPO, Friday. At a special sitting of the Magistrate's Court, held at Taupo last evening. before Messrs. Hutchins and Hubbard. J.l'.'s, William Brewer, alias Wi Thompson. 54, of no fixed abode, was charged with incurring two debts by fraud, namely, one of £4 for the hire of the taxi of A. Tohara, a Moari. and another of £7 10/ for the hire of the taxi of J. F. Lamberton, of Hastings.

The evidence disclosed that the accused engaged Mr. Tohara to drive him to various places in and around Taupo, the total fares being ££. When asked to pay. the accused could not do so. He then got a lift to Hastings on a lorry going from Taupo. and engaged Mr. to drive him to Oruanui. which is 11 miles north of Taupo, with a promise to pay on arrival at Oruanui.

On information received. Constable McXulty. of Taupo, made a smart capture by stopping the car just on the outskirts of Taupo about 3 p.m., and ordering the driver to proceed to the local gaol. i

It was stated that the accused was an old offender, and had a mania for riding in taxis. On the first charge he was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment, and on the second charge he was convicted and discharged.