"A MENACE"

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 165, 15 July 1941, Page 4

"A MENACE"

PSEUDO DETECTIVE

COOK SENT TO PRISON

In sentencing a cook named David Allan Ferry, aged l>2. to a term of imprisonment, to be followed by a period of reformative detention, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court described him as a menace.

Ferry pleaded guilty to three charges of assuming the designation of a member of the New Zealand Police Force, three charges of assaulting girls, two charges of using indecent language and another charge of stealing 10/.

Detective-Sergeant Nalder. who prosecuted, said Ferry, a single man, spoke to two girls, aged 12 and l-'J. in Myers Park about :i p.m. on .Tune 22. and told them he was a detective. After questioning the girls about their alleged association "with other boys and girls, Kerry suggested they should accompany him to the Newton police station. The girls went, with him and on arrival at the police station Ferry told them to wait outside. Entering the police station himself Ferry made some inquiries about a gun. He subsequently made improper suggestions to the girls, who ran away from him.

Ferry, continued Mr. Nalder, next accosted a girl of Jo in Queen Street at 10.20 p.m. on June 20. Catching hold of her by the arm he asked nor to go to the central police station with him. but iust before reaching Albert. Park, after Fcrrv had made a suggestion to the girl she broke away from him. The next incident occurred at 9.50 pm on July 6. in Queen Street. Ferry approached another girl and made a suggestion to her.

The girl complained to a soldier who was nearby, ami the soldier called a constable.

"Ferry's conduct has been verv bad," Detective-Sergeant Nalder said. "He is a false pretence man and a thief, and he has been out of gaol since 1940. He came to Auckland about a month ago and committed this series of offences."

This man is a menace," said the magistrate in sentencing Ferrv to six months' imprisonment with hard labour, to be followed by two vears' reformative detention.

Ferry asked the magistrate if he would make the whole of the term one of hard labour.

Mr. Hunt: No, I won't. You'll take what I give you.