MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26123, 27 May 1950, Page 9

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

FRIDAY (Before Mr F. F. Reid, S.M.) IMPRISONMENT FOR THEFT Peter Fisher (Mr R. Twyneham), aged 42, a waterside worker, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing, on May 9, at Lyttelton, 22 packets of .303 calibre cartridges, valued at £3 6s, the property of Richardson and Company, Ltd. Detective-Sergeant G. W. Alty said that the accused was seen climbing out of the hold of the coastal vessel Kopara, which was discharging a large consignment of cartriages. Fisher was found with the packets of cartridges packed around his waist and a branded wrap, which was later found to be off the boxes of cartridges, tucked in his sock. Mr Twyneham said that accused was keenly interested in shooting and had succumbed to sudden temptation. The Magistrate said that the fact that the accused had the packets around his waist made it difficult to believe that; he had succumbed to sudden temptation. It indicated « deliberate, well-planned theft. The accused knew what he was doing* and there was only one punishment lor this type of crime. Accused was sentenced to 21 days’ imprisonment. REMANDED Reg Joseph Cosson, a farm labourer, aged 27, and a woman whose name was ordered not to be published in tiie meantime, appeared on a joint charge that on May 19, 1950, at Christchurch, with intent to defraud, they obtained the sum 01/19 m money by false pretences. The woman, lor whom Mr J. G. Leggat appeared, was also charged with obtaining the sum of £lO in money by false pretences. Both accused were remanded to appear on June 1. Cosson was allowed bail in the sum of £lOO in his own recognisance with one surety of £lOO, and the other accused was allowed bail in the sum of -a0 with one surety of £5O. Both were ordered to report daily to the police. Lester Mervyn Ramage, a labourer and cook, aged 19 years, was remanded to appear on June 1 on a charge of stealing on May 3, 1950, at Waiau, from the dwelling ho use of Patrick Warren Jennings, the sum of £lO in money.

Swann (Mr H. W. Thompson), agea 47, a truck driver, was ‘ remanded io June 2 on a charge of being in a stale of intoxication while in charge of a motor vehicle on Marshland road on May 25. Bail was allowed at £25 in his own recognisance and one surety of the same

. A young woman whose name was ordered not to be published in the meanrime was remanded to June 1 on three charges of theft.

e-Sergeanf G. W. Alty, in asking foi- the remand, said that accused was 2 „ e appeared at Gisborne earlier in the month, but had run away.