A BAD START

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 32, 7 August 1919, Page 7

A BAD START

Setting up a home, or ppssibly the thought of the expense of a honeymoon trip, apparently, rather upset a young man named JohnNEdward Johnson, for he stilted, in answer to a charge of having stolen a portmanteau and contents, valued at £19 10s, the property of Stanley Gordon Copper, preferred against him at the Magistrate's Court this morning, that since returning from the front a little time ago ha-had unwisely started on a drinking bout, lost his own luggage, and also his money, at tho races. Ho had then met a young woman at a city hotel, and had decided to get married. He was worried over the fact that he had no money to start his married .life, and had therefore very foolishly stolen the portmanteau from the hotel office and sold it for 30s. He expressed great regret for his action, and asked to be placed on probation. Mr. E. Page, S.M., declined this request, as the young man had been previously before tlie Court, though never before on a charge of theft, and imposed a line of £10, in default one month's imprisonment.' One week was allowed in which to pay the fine.. -' - •