POLICE COURT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVI, Issue 49, 30 November 1909, Page 5

POLICE COURT.

Clias. Donnelly, who was arrested, by Lonstablo Lopdell on Friday inght on a charge of stealing an overcoat at Jloriot on or about Oct. Ml.h, the property of George Jenkins, us . brought before John Dunne and •I. U. Wilson, J.P's., at the local court on Saturday and charged with tne olieuce. M r (< r i gor su ,pearo<]j for accused, who pleaded guilty. I onstable Lopdell, in outlining the facts, said Donnelly had been em-, ployed with Mr Dunlop at Heriot, and while there Jenkins (chaff-cutter), came to the place and left two over-, coats. Accused afterwards used one. and when leaving Mr Dunlop's employ took it with him. He got a job locally, and when approached on the matter admitted taking the coat. Mr Grigor said the facts, as related, showed only a technical breach of the law. All that was done was dono openly. wore the coat while at work, and as it was not called for he took it a way—a thing which ho ought not to luivo done, but there was not the usual clement of theft about it. lie contended that tho -Bench would bo justified in convicting: and cautioning the accused or inllic£ ing a small monetary penalty. The Be-nch agreed that, the offence was not a serious one, and convicted and fined accused 10/ and costs IJ-.