POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 19142, 8 January 1926, Page 6

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 8.

(Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.) THREE MONTHS. Albert Norman Sutherland was charged with the theft at Kyebiun Diggings of a rug, alarm clock and other articles of a total value of ii 10s. He entered a plea of guilty. Senior-sergeant Quarterrmiin said that the man was of bad character, and he could not say anything in his 1,1 Wr White, who appeared for the accused, said than the man had tried to make good, but had been the victim of had luck. Before arming at Kychnrn Diggings be mot another man, they had consumed a bottle of whisky between them. Ho spent some time in a house, and when no left he foolishly took the articles. The man had been arrested last year in connection witii a charge of murder. The accused was innocent, but bad attempted to shield his elder brother. “ The Victoria Cross is awarded to men for doing iar Joss nobler things than that, asserted counseL . , . ~ i “ How does he explain the fact tiiat gelignite was found on him?” queried the "senior sprgeant. , The Magistrate said he could not overlook the theft, and sentenced Sutherland to three months’ imprisonment.

NEW YEAR FESTIVITIES. Wm. George O’Neill and George Alfred Scott were charged with the theft, on December 31, of a motor car inner tube, motor tyres, and side curtains, of a total value of £l4 l-s, tho propertv of Ford Motors, Ltd., J3unedin. The accused pleaded guilty. Senior-sergeant Quartcrmain sruc. that the accused were both hsti hawkers living at Abbotsford. 0 Neill was found in possession of the tube, and the side curtains were found near where lie had been standing. One ol the tyres had been thrown into a churchyard. The men wore more or less under the iniluenco of liquor when arrested. They had not been in trouble before. , ~ , Mr White said that the enarges were the result of new year festivities. O’Neill was a regular customer or Die Ford Garage, and both men really had iio intention of stealing tho articles. They were returned soldiers, and ho asked that the names of the accused should ho suppressed. . The Magistrate said that it was oistressing that the men should have committed such an offence. He would take into consideration the plea for leniency that had been made, and ho would order them to come up for sentence at any time within twelve montns_ on condition that they made restitution. Ho could not agree to make an order for the suppression o;: the accused s names.

FATHER ASSAULTED. Emmett James Hussey was charged with having assaulted Thomas Hussey on October 31 last. Mr White, who appeared for the accused, said that it was purely a family squabble, and he understood that the father, who was the victim, was prepared to withdraw the case. The Senior Sergeant said that bo was not prepared to do that. The complainant said that on New Year’s Eve his two sons were with him in the house. There was a bit of a disturbance." „,, “How did yon got that black eye? asked the senior sergeant. Did your son strike you? Witness; “I cannot say. Mr White You didu t scud for the police, did you?” Witness: “No.” , , A brother of the accused said that on Now Year’s Eve bis lather ordered rho accused out of the house because ho was singing. Senior-sergeant: “What sort of song .was bo singing?” Witness: “A sentimental song, ami my father didn’t like it. Wo orclcu-u accused out, but ho wouldn’t go, and struck him on tbo face. He, did not hear any obscene language.” The Magistrate: “What was the name of the song your brother was singing? Witness; “ The Swaneo River. Mr White: “That’s pretty harmless, isn't it?" , ~ Counsel said that the matter should not have come before the court. Ibo brother evidently went ior the police under tire heat of passion. The Senioayscxgcant said that Hussey had a bad list. _ The Magistrate said that if the case had been'an ordinary assault cases ho would not have hesitated in sending the .accused to gaol. The accused was ordered to come up for sentence if (railed upon within twelve months. Ho was also prohibited. AFTER HOURS. Thomas Livingstone was charged with having been found on the Rugby Hotel, when such promises were required to bo closed. The offence was admitted. Senior-sergeant Quartcrinam said that the licensee was convicted of supplying the liquor to the man. A fine of 40s was imposed, a week being allowed in which to find the amount. A similar charge was preferred against Samuel Clarkson, who did not appear. He was similarly fined. BY-LAW BREACHES. Frank Williams was charged with having driven a motor car without a license, and was fined 20s and costs. John Muir, did not appear in answer to a charge of driving a motor cycle without a number plate in the front. A lino of lOs and costs was imposed. On a similar charge Alfred Phillips was fined a like amount. Driving a motor truck that did not have a number at the back cost George Alfred Brooks 7s costs. The defendant stated that the number had fallen off. A. Campbell, who was in charge of an omnibus without a number plate, was fined 10s and costs. Archibald Brooks was fined 5s and costs for bcinc in charge of a motor car without lights. Anker Borneo Jenson, George Gale, James Hill, pm., Alexander M'Millan, Arthur Stewartson, Thomas Edward Ragar, James Rmvojoim were each fined ,5s and costs on similar charges.

For riding on the footpath Perry Titner was convicted and discharged, and fined the amount of the costs (7s). Ronald Coombs, who gave his ago as sixteen, was fined ss, without costs, for having allowed pillion riding on his motor cycle. A conviction wos entered in connection with a charge of riding his motor cycle without a light. Arthur George, who was carried by Coombs, was convicted for pillion ingAlfred Francis Armstrong and George Gourlay, for leaving their motor cars unattended, were each fined, 5s and costs. REFORMALITE TREATMENT. Robert Henry Rrookie was charged with the theft at Mosgiel at divers dates of sums of money totalling £l7 5s 61d, the property of Joseph Moore Keown. Chief-detective Lewis said that the accused was twoniy-ono years of age, and had been engaged by Air Keown on a milk round. The man, who went under the name of Herbert Williamson, collected the money from customers, but had failed to account for it. The accused had had his chance. In 1920 he admitted five charges of theft, and'was admitted to probation, and in 1923 was sentenced to two years’ reformative treatment for theft, but the did not seem to do him any good. The Probation Officer (Air F. G Gumming) said that the man had ample opportunities to make good,

but they had been wasted. Ho could not recommend him to probation. The accused was sentenced to twelve months’ reformative, treatment. REMANDED.

Richard John Berry was charged with having wilfully failed to provide for his wife. The complainant said that she married the accused on March 3, 1911, at Gore, but she had not lived with her husband since April. There were two children. She had not received any money from Die accused. She had received £ll from him in two years. Senior-sergeant Quartermain said said that he did not think Berry was quite right mentally. Ho had induced his boy to walk with him to Lyttelton. They eventually reached their destination as the result of getting “lifts” from passing motor cars. The accused said that when he went home his wife told him to “ got to the other place out of it.” “It was not very nice to be tossed out of it, ho added. The accused was remanded until Monday 7 for medical ohseravtion. CONSTABLE’S SIGNAL IGNORED. Edward Page,, who was represented by Mr Ritchie, was charged with having failed to stop Ids car when requested to do so by a traffic constable. Constable Beckwith said that ho was on point duty at the corner of Union and Forth streets on December 25, at 7 p.m., and he signalled Pago to stop. Ho did not take any notice of him, and almost collided with a tram car. Sergeant Boulton stated that ho noticed Constable Beckwith give the signal to stop. The defendant said that he was just “ jogging along ” at a walking pace past the constable. He was sorry that he did not get out of the way sooner than he did, because he had practically pulled up when the constable gave him the signal to go on. The Magistrate said that he was satisfied that the defendant had not obeyed the constable, and he considered that it was_ a waste of time to hear any more evidence. A fine of 20s and costs was indicted. A similar charge was preferred amainst Marion Whyte, who was fined 10s and costs. The Magistrate said that it was hardly likely that the defendant had deliberately ignored the constable’s signal. BREACH OF SCAFFOLDING ACT. George Arthur Sykes was charged with having commenced building work at St. Kilda involving the risk of a fall of 12ft or more to any person, and with failure to notify the Inspector of R caff ol dig of his intention to do so. A fine of £5 and 7s court costs was indicted. CHARGE DISMISSED. Robert Brown, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having negligently driven a motor car in Rattray street on November 25. The defendant was represented by Mr J. M. Gillies, and pleaded not guilty. William David Robertson, a motor van driver, employed by the Post Office, said that the defendant had collided with his vehicle at the corner of Rattray and Vogel streets. He considered that Brown had out the corner too fuiCi and trbe nccidpnt was entirely due to defendant’s negligence in that mat|or The defendant said that ho sounded b'S horn some distance before reaching Rattray street. Ho first noticed the van when he turned into Rattray street. Bo considered that the van was going at a fati; speed. The Magistrate said that _he was forced to the conclusion that if the defendant had taken a little more care the collision would bars boon avoided. There was some doubt as to w hothei bo was o-iiiliy of negligent driving, and im would giro him the benefit of that doubt. The charge was dismissed.