Case of apple

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33775, 22 February 1975, Page 3

Case of apple

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Feb. 21. Keith Alan Hatley stood looking confused and dumbfounded in the dock of the Auckland Magistrate’s Court today as a charge of theft was made out against him. Amid muffled laughter from the court-room, the clerk informed Hatley that he was charged with stealing a six cent apple three years ago. Before anyone else could speak, the duty solicitor, Mr B. M. Yolland, stood and told the Magistrate, Mr B. H. Blackwood, who was wearing a wry grin, that Hatley had no -recollection of what the case was about.

The Magistrate expressed surprise that the matter

had ever come before the Court.

The police prosecutor, Sergeant R. L. Hall, agreed, and said he thought the case had “died of old age.”

“I am sure the evidence, too,” replied the Magistrate.

Mr Hall proposed that the charge be withdrawn but the Magistrate suggested the case be dismissed, which was the eventual outcome.

A relieved and smiling Mr Hatley sood down from the dock and left the Court shaking his head. A police officer said later that the charge had been outstanding for some time and on tracing Mr Hatley recently, the police had decided to go ahead with the action.

“It’s just one of those things,” he added.