TOOK THE CAR

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 61, 14 March 1927, Page 10

TOOK THE CAR

AND PAID THE PENALTY

In a 'half-drunken condition, Robert Turner, a*'motor-driver, aged 31, unlawfully took a motor-car, valued at £150, the property of John. Old Ham Johnston, from his employer's garage and drove it round the city. He had an accident which resulted in damage to the car amounting to £6 12a, and at Hataitai he almost ran into a motor-bus. This was the story told in the Magistrate 's Court to-day by Chief-Detective Ward when Turner pleaded guilty to unlawfully converting the car to his own use, but not so as to be guilty of theft. Counsel for Turner said that drink was the cause of the offence. Turner was a married .man with four children, who were solely dependent upon him, and he was willing to take out a prohibition order against himself. "My own view is that whore a servant misappropriates' a car, the offence is more serious than in an ordinary case," said Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M. "In view of all the circumstances, however, and since this is the accused's first offence, I will impose a fine of £5, in default one month's, imprisonment." . Turner was also ordered to make good the damage to the car, in default one month's imprisonment.