MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2370, 28 January 1915, Page 9

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

FALSE PRETENCES MASQUERADING IN UNIFORM Sir. W. G. Riddell, S M., presided over a sitting of tho Magistrate's Court , yesterday. A young man iiamocf Samuel Robert Wm. Smith was chargd with—(l) Obtaining from Hen 17 Frederick Davis goods to the value of £9 15s. 6d. by means of false pretences, with intent to defraud; (2) obtaining goods valued at £8 14s. from Littlejolm and 1 Sons; obtaining goods valued at £0 lis. Dd. from Davis and Clater. Accused pleaded guilty to all three charges. Chief Detective Boddam explained that accused was until recently a member of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles. He liad left that regiment and had come to Wellington, representing to a clothing firm tliat he was a sergeant. On the strength of that he had received a sergeant's uniform. Later ha had gone to another firm and secured a lieutenant's uniform. Accused had then gone about town dressed in this uniform, and had gone to a_ jewellery firm, and on the strength of his uniform obtamod a gold wristlet watch and a gold ring. All the stolen property had been recovered, Accused had been previously before the Court on various charges Mr. Jackson,_ on behalf of accused, said that his client's actions showed he was irresponsible. Accused was not as mentally strong as he might be, and when lie had had any drink he formed an exaggerated idea of his wealth, and made out cheques that were plainly valueless. Counsel-asked that he might be remanded so that inquiry might ho made as to the best thing to do with liim. Ihe Magistrate: Yes, it is clear from, the statements of the police and counsel that defendant cannot be allowed at large. Accused was remanded to Friday. CHARGE OF ASSAULT. Charles Henry O'Loughlin appeared on remand, charged with assaulting W. Thompson until intent to commit a crime. Accused was defended by Mr. J. J. M'Grath. After hearing part of the evidence and Mr M'Gratn's cross-examination, the Magistrate intimated that ho would reduce the charge to one of common assault, and fined accused £3, with costs £1 135., in default 21 days' gaol. YOTJNG GIRLS- IN TROUBLE. Two young girls, Ethel Susan Knapp and Alice Margaret Knapp, aged respectively 20 and 18 years, wore charged with being.idle and disorderly in that they had insufficient means of lawful support' Inspector Hendre'y said that the pnronts of the two girls were on their way down from Foxton, and as thev would no doubt wish to seenre ths sendees of a '-solicitor, they had better be remanded till Thursday. Tho remand was granted,. ■

■ OTHER CASES. 'A respectable-looking man named Sydney Saunders was charged with indecency in Vivian Street. Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared, for accused', and pleaded for leniency. Saunders, he said, was a highly respectable man. On the day in question be ■ bad bad too much drink, and had 110 remembrance of the present offence. The Magistrate fined accused £3. in default 14 days' gaol .' Charles Hector Dudley was charged with forging.the nameof H. H. Beetham for. tbe sum of £10 13s. 6d. .on a cheque drawn on the Bank of New Zealand, and tittering the tame to George Howard. . As he had only been arrested the previous day, he was remanded till February Edward Mohan and William Jtaid were separately chareed with stealing 30 sacks, valued'at 155., the pronerty of Wro. John Gaudin. Inspector Hendrey explained that tbe two sots of sacks had been stolen from a -grain store in Ghnznee Street, and the two accused' had been found carrying them . away. Each was fined 205., or seven days' gaol. ■ ■Several first offending inebriates were dealt with.