MAGISTRATE’S COURT

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26514, 31 August 1951, Page 6

MAGISTRATE’S COURT

THURSDAY (Before Mr Rex C. Abernethy, S.M.) INTOXICATED DRIVER

Robert Jesse Pitcalm, a taxi-driver, aged 39, was convicted and sentenced to seven days’ Imprisonment on a charge of being intoxicated in charge of a motor vehicle (a taxi) in Stanmore road on Wednesday. His licence was cancelled for a year. Sub-Inspector J. J. Kearns said that shortly after 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Pitcairn. driving at an excessive speed, had veered over to the left when turning from North Avon road Into Stanmore road, and collided with a car that was slowing down to let a pedestrian cross the street. Pitcairn had been medically certified as unfit to drive.

Mr E. B. E. Taylor, counsel for Pitcairn. said that his client had been off duty on the day of the accident. As an owner-driver in Rink Taxis for 18 months Pitcairn had a good record, but as a result of this prosecution he would have to dispose of his cab. which was being financed by rehabilitation, and look for other employment. He said It was the first time that defendant had been in Court on any charge. “I have no doubt that you are ordinarily a decent citizen,” said the Magistrate. "but you had taken so much liquor that you were not able to use your powers of judgment or drive properly, and you might have killed a pedestrian or Injured someone in your car or in the other car.” FALSE PRETENCES Gordon John Lee. a labourer, aged 41, was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment when he appeared on charges of obtaining two separate sums of £l5 from George Allister Morten Young by falsely representing that cheques signed by himself were good and valid. Detective-Sergeant G. W. Alty said that accused had opened an account with the Bank of New Zealand In Napier early in June. . When he left the district he had drawn out 15s, leaving a credit of one shilling. After directing the bank to stop payment on cheques of certain numbers because he had lost his cheque book, he made out a cheque for £l5. Introducing himself to Young as a friend of a person known to Young, he persuaded Young to cash the cheque. The next day he called again on Young, and asked him to cash a further cheque for £l5. Lee had been convicted for false pretences in Australia but had only one minor conviction in New Zealand.

For Lee, Mr J. E. Millar asked for leniency on account of his early lack of opportunity. He said he had been brought up in the care of the State and had had to fend for himself since leaving school. He had married, but the marriage had broken down.

Lee was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to be concurrent. The Magistrate said the sentence was a warning to accused that if he continued in this way he would be in for a serious term of imprisonment. IMPRISONMENT FOR THEFT Leslie Maurice Scott, a stablehand and truek-driver, aged 30 (Mr R Twyneham). appeared for sentence on a series ot charges of stealing goods to the value if £174 12s 4d from Ashby, Bergh and -ompany. Ltd., of Christchurch.

The Magistrate imposed a total of six months’ imprisonment. REMANDED Mary Isabella Christina Robertson, a iomestic, aged 48. was remanded to appear on September 10 on a charge of steeling at Christchurch on September 20. 1950. clothing, crockery, and personal belongings to the value of £65 Ils, the property of Edna Mary Carswell. Brian Herbert Holmes, a labourer, aged 26. was remanded to September 6 on a charge that by falsely representing that a cheque signed by himself was good and valid, he obtained £3 on July 21 from William Ewart Donnithorne. Bail was allowed In his own recognisance of £lOO and one surety of £lOO, and he was ordered to report to the police ‘daily. Detective-Sergeant G. W. Alty said that there would be "quite a few" charges against Holmes. CIVIL CASES (Before Mr, Raymond Ferner. S.M.) JUDGMENT SUMMONSES The following orders were made on judgment summonses:—Robert Williams was ordered to pay Batstones Garage £99 16s 6d, in default three months' imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended until three days after the service of order. M. Lynch was ordered to pay E. W. McGeorge £2 IBs, in default three days' imprisonment. R. Barr was ordered to pay Irving Clark, Ltd., £43 Ils »d, in default 46 days' imprisonment the warrant to be suspended as long as defendant pays £lO a month, first payment to be made on September 30. P. Tyler Was ordered to pay Seddon Motors, Ltd., £26 Is Ifld. in default 30 days' imprisonment the warrant to be suspended as long as defendant pays £4 a week, the first payment to be made on September 1.