IMPERSONATOR OF A POLICEMAN

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 100, 22 January 1926, Page 10

IMPERSONATOR OF A POLICEMAN

A PECULIAR CASE Impersonating 0. policeman is evidently an uncontrollable' weakness in Thomas Hedley Paterson Burnett, who, after just having served fourteen days’ imprisonment for this offence, again appeared before Mr. E. Page, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, and pleaded griilty to another similar charge. “Very shortly after his release from prison," said Senior-Sergeant Lander, who prosecuted, “accused went to a conicctionery shop in Taranaki Street, and informed tho lady in charge that he was a constable from Mount Cook station, and was looking for a woman, who, he said, was in that vicinity. He was told that there was no 0110 there of the name he mentioned. On the following evening, be again called at the same shop, and said ho was making inquiries for a man with a motorcycle. On Wednesday of this week ho again paid a visit to the same premises and brought a bottle of beer with him.” On this last occasion he still said he was after a man.” Mr. Page: What is tho explanation of all this, Senior Sergeant? “I should say that ho does not appear to bo well balanced,” replied Son-ior-Sergeant Lander. “I don’t knqw why ho should impersonate a police officer. His record discloses the fact that ho belongs to S«uth Canterbury. He has been before the Court before on six charges of theft and one of false iprctences. Ho also served a term in an industrial school, and nt the present time is out on probation for theft committed last year. The probation officer recommends a long term in an institution. There is some doubt as to Ills correct age, and perhaps the probation officer could make inquiries in this direction.”

The Magistrate remanded tno case until Friday morning, in order that in the meantime ho might consider what could be done with accused.