A DISORDERLY HOUSE

Evening Star, Issue 12307, 23 September 1904, Page 3

A DISORDERLY HOUSE

At the Police Court yesterday Thomas Ghattcrly was charged with being tin- occupier of’ a, house frequented bv imputed thieves and persons having no visible lawful means of support. Sub-inspector Green conducted the prosecution. Mr A R. Barclay appeared for I lie defence, and took the preliminary objection that the information disclosM two distinct offences, and was therefore bad. Tlio Bench concurred, and the words “ reputed thieves ” wen- struck out. Sergeant Gilbert, stationed at the noithera station, said ho had known ‘rlefendant for the past three years. He did little or no work, and was very fond of liquor. The hou.ro was, for the" past six months, frequeuted by women of the town and rdle men. Complaints had been made no to Hie conduct of the hou.ro, and defendant had been cautioned more than once. A robbery was committed iu the house recently. .Vt ]iii-sent three women who lived in the house ''ere in gaol. On the evening of Ihe 13th (here was a. row in the house, and windows were smashed.

Cross-examined by Air Barclay, the sergeant said he had been to the house a numlior of times lately. Chatterly gave infeunation to the iroliee as to the window sm.islimg on the 13th, after the constable had been there. Did not know- that defendant had been getting an honest, living. Constable Hickey said he bad known dofondant for yearn, and visited the bouse ahciit once a week at nights Women who bad been convicted frequented tile house, also others convicted of vagrancy, and others who had no visible lawful means of support. Witness had cautioned defendant as to bis conduct of the house Cross-examined by Mr Barclay: About a month ago a. message came to the station that there was a row m the house, and on that occasion witness cautioned defendant. Constable M'Glouc said defendant's house was frequented by convicted va<wants and prostitute?. °

Detective Cooney said that for the past three or four months ho had frequently visited defendant’s house with other detectives, and found it frequented by vagrants women and men. A few weeks ago a robbery was committed there. Defendant had been cautioned film* out of number, but without effect. Mr Barclay said it was unite possible

that some of the characters named bad visited defendant’s wife, much to the annoyance of Chutterly, who , got a living by selling cloth purchased from wholesale houses, and - was frequently away- from home. Under these circumstances, defendant ought not to be convicted of the 'offence charged against him. Thomas Chattcrly. the defendant, produced Receipted bills ‘for cloth purchased by him.

His Worship: The 1904 accounts amount in all to about £3.

Mr Barclay: Defendant has a hat-hex full of receipts that ho can produce. Defendant, continuing, said he had lived in his present house for two years, and ha-1 had no trouble with the police. It was a three-roomed house, and the rent wan 7s per week. When the police complained, as far as possible he put a. stop to undesirable perrons comingMo his house. Fo far as he know, those who came had visible means of support. •

Cross-examined by Stib-iii'-prelor Green, defendant said that when the police came to his house one. of the visitors in the house was a convicted thief. The landlord had served notice on him In leave. He admitted numerous convictions for thefts and other offences.

Tim Bench sentenced (Ti utterly to three months’ imprisonment, with hard labor.