MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25934, 14 October 1949, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THURSDAY (Before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M.) REMANDED FOR SENTENCE. Thomas David Edwan Sheddon, aged 18 (Mr J. K. Moloney), and Brian Grenville Chamberlain, aged 19 (Mr E. B. E. Taylor), both members of the R.N.Z.A.F., pleaded guilty to a joint charge that on August 30 they stole an aircraft compass, valued at £lB 15s, the property of the Air Force. Sheddon also pleaded guilty to a charge that on August 15 he stole a testing meter, valued at 15s, the property of the Air Force. Detective-Sergeant A. B. Tate said that on October 12 inquiries were made about thefts of equipment at Wigram. Sheddon admitted taking the meter, and said he had intended returning it. He had used it for radio work at home. The compass was found at his home. It had been taken from an aircraft. Chamberlain said he helped Sheddon take the compass out of the aircraft, but got no benefit from The Magistrate said there were too many of these cases “involving young personnel of the Air Force. He refused a request for suppression of the names, and said that publicity was one of the best deterrents. Both accused were remanded to October 20. pending reports by the Probation Officer. THEFT CHARGES Valma Clara Levy, aged 30, a married woman, pleaded guilty to a charge that on April 1 she stole a dress, a tablecloth, a bedspread, a pair of curtains, a pullover, and a ukulele, valued at £l5 12s6d, the property of Esme Miriam Marriott. James Eric John Petterson, aged 40, a sawyer, pleaded guilty to a charge that, on April 1, he stole a quantity of cutlery, two bedroom rugs, a salt and pepper dish, and a milk jug, valued at £9 18s 6d, the property of Esme Miriam Marriott. Mr R. A. Young appeared for both accused, and the charges were heard together. Detective-Sergeant Tate said that Petterson was the occupier of a house, and Levy was his housekeeper. The complainant left what she called her glory-box with them, and it was to be sent on to her at Havelock. The complainant sent money for the goods to be forwarded, but she got no answer. When inquiries were made, it was found that-the accused had gone to Temuka. The police went to a cottage there, but the accused had gone. The box was in the cottage, but the goods were missing. When Petterson and Levy were interviewed they admitted taking the articles enumerated. Petterson sold the articles for £4 10s and Levy gave away the articles she took. Mr Young said that the articles were taken at a time of financial stress. The accused could make full restitution if allowed time. Each accused was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. Levy was ordered to make restitution within one month. If restitution is not made she is to be brought before the Court. Petterson was ordered to make restitution within three months or be brought before the Court again. FINED FOR DRUNKENNESS Graham Spurgeon Scott, a labourer, pleaded guilty to a charge that on October 12, he was found drunk in Cathedral square, having been once previously convicted of a similar offence within the last six months. He was fined 20s, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment. LIQUOR NEAR DANCE HALL Ronald John Dyer, Arnold Cnarles Hammar, Peter John Pierce, lan Ross, and lan Sutherland were each fined £3 on a charge of being found in possession of liquor near the Prebbleton Hall on September 17 while a dance .was in progress there. FINED FOR THROWING STONE Tom Peter Mackay, a tramway motorman. pleaded guilty to a charge that on August 30, he threw a stone to the damage or danger of any person or property in Hills road. Senior-Sergeant J. J. Kearns said that the driver of a delivery van saw the de-

fendant pick up a stone and, as the van drove past, a stone hit the side of the van. The complainant spoke to the defendant, who alleged that the complainant had been speeding and was a menace to children on the road. The defendant said it was a dangerous locality, and he had put in a letter, signed by residents, saying that there had been speeding. His own child had been missed by inches. Mackay was fined £2. REMANDED David Ross Lloyd, aged 35, a labourer, was remanded to October 17 on a charge that, on October 6, he stole a chain measure tape, valued at £l, the property of some person unknown. Detective-Sergeant A. B. Tate, asking for the remand, said that a charge of forgery would be laid and proceeded with on Monday.