FALSE STATEMENT TO POLICE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 11

FALSE STATEMENT TO POLICE

Alleged Conversion of Car

By Telegraph.—Press Association.

Auckland, lune 19.

Colin McDonald, labourer and shopman, did not appear in the police court to-day to answer a summons chargp of having made a false statement tb the police by alleging that an offence had been committed. -He was represent ed by Mr. Aekins, who entered a plea of guilty. - "" i Senior-Detective Hall said McDonald had hired a rental car and the morning after taking it from the,.firm’s garage, he called, at the police station and made a complaint that; it liad been-unlaw-fully converted. McDonald made and signed a statement that the car had gone over a bank in Ponsonby and had been damaged to the extent of £25 Detectives made inquiries which showed that the car had gone over the bank at eight o’clock the night previous to McDonald reporting its conversion. He. subsequently admitted that while being driven by another man the car had gone over the bank, and that, thinking he would be held responsible, he reported its unlawful conversion to the police. McDonald had a lengthy lis' of previous convictions. Mr. Aekins submitted that no great harm had been done by McDonald, who was a showman and was at present In the country. He had a wife and three children to keep. His actions were consistent with having taken liquor. “It is not a trivial matter,” said Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., in fining defendant £5 or 21 days’ imprisonment. McDonald was allowed one week in which to pay.