MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25082, 14 January 1947, Page 5

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

MONDAY (Before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.) IDLE AND DISORDERLY Donald Clark Nielson (Mr D. J. Hewitt) was convicted and discharged for being idle and disorderly in that he had no lawful visible means of support.

REMANDED Horace Arthur Churchill (Mr K. J. MeMenatnin) was remanded for four weeks on seven charges of indecent assault on males.

INTOXICATED MOTORIST Frederick Charles Yates Hamlin pleaded quilty when charged with being found in a state of intoxication when in charge of a motor-car in Worcester street on January 11. Inspector G. J. Paine said Hamlin had been observed driving a car in an erratic manner. He had been taken to the police station, where he had been certified as being intoxicated. Accused had been frank, and had admitted having had about 20 beers. For a similar offence, he had been fined £25 in 1945.

Hamlin was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment with hard labour. His driver’s licence was suspended, and he was deemed incapable of holding one for three years, and thereafter until the Court might decide.

CHARGE OF ASSAULT Ronald Eric Brown (Mr J. K. Moloney) was ordered to come up for sentence if called on within six months for behaving in a disorderly manner when drunk. • On a charge of assault he was fined £5. a condition being that he take out a prohibition order against himself.

COMMITTED FOR TRIAL Henry Charles Barnett, aged 29 years, was charged with breaking and entering the counting-house or Ken Greer and Company, Ltd., on December 31, and com*mitting theft.

Kenneth John Greer, wool and skin buyer, said that on December 31 he had left his business premises securely locked. An inspection on January 1 showed that a door had been forced open. The office had been ransacked. A hat valued at ►£2, 4s or 5s in pennies, sheepskin gloves, and a sou’-wester had been taken.

Detective L. J. Harrowfield said he had noticed the accused in a drunken state lying on the steps of the Technical College. He had taken him to the Police Station, and when searched the accused had in his possession the gloves, sou’wester, and letters addressed- to Ken Greer, Christchurch, a money bag, and 18 pennies. Barnett pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.

COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE Samuel Henry Clegg was charged with stealing from the house of Harry Dam-pier-Crossley, at Rotherham on November 28, eight National War Savings bonds valued at £B. and further with stealing a diamond and sapphire ring and two brooches of a total value of £72 15s, the property of Mabel Leslie DampierCrossley. Edward Ernest Corkin was charged with stealing the sum of £ll from the house of Harry Dampier-dbrossley at Rotherham on November 28.

Both accused were represented by Mr J. K. Moloney, and Senior-Detective F. J. Brady conducted the case for the police.

Senior-Detective Brady said identical circumstances applied, and he asked permission to have the one set of evidence for all the charges. To this Mr Moloney agreed. Harry Dampler-Crossley said that on November 28 he had left his home with his wife to visit Christchurch. Painters were working on the house, which was left open. Before he left he had placed a case containing a diamond and sapphire ring and other jewellery in a ‘safe which he had locked and the key of which he had placed in a writing desk. In a drawer he had left a wallet containing Australian bank-notes of a total value of £ll. two £5 notes, and a £1 note. He returned to his home on December 8. and on December 11 his wife opened the safe and found that the box containing the ring and other jewellery had been taken The bonds were also missing. At the detective office he had identified the ring and brooches as the property of Mrs Dampier-Crossley. Constable G. S. Murray said he had interviewed Corkin at Culverden. Corkin had admitted having stolon £ll in notes during the absence of. the owner. Clegg had told him he had seen money in a b edroom. He (Corkin) had taken it. He had received change for the notes at Clegg had handed him four National War Bonds. He denied having stolen gin or whisky. Clegg had not told him where he secured the bonds, and he did- not see Clegg with a ring. Interviewed by Detective R. Smith. Clegg had said that he had found liquor during the course of his work. He became muddled with drink, and decided to have a look round. He found a key of the safe, and took the National War Bonds and ring and brooches. He later gave the bonds to Corkin. Both accused pleaded guilty and were committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.