POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 19272, 10 June 1926, Page 6

POLICE COURT

THURSDAY, JUNE 10.

(Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.)

DRUNKENNESS

William Smith Dryden was charged with drunkenness, and also with having procured liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. Ho was fined 10s, in default twenty-four hours’ imprisonment, on each charge. ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCE.

Robert Scott was charged with having on March 15 obtained fifteen cases of motor spirit from A. S. Paterson and Co., valued at £l6 10s, by means of a false pretence, to wit that ho was tho representative of Matson and Co., Christchurch. Detective Beer, tvho prosecuted, raid that there wore a number of charges pending, and he asked for a remand Accused was remanded until to-mor-row week.

WOMAN CHARGED WITH THEFT. Edith M’Morran was charged with the theft of a pigskin purse valued at 5s and £1 15s m money, the property of Nellie Gwen Couchman. She was further charged with having entered a licensed house during the currency of n prohibition order, and also with having procured liquor from some person oxpersons unknown. The accused pleaded not guilty to the first charge and guilty to the other two. Nellie Gwen Couchman said that on Saturday last she was at the Winter Show. She left her child in charge of a coat and a purse containing £l 15s while she was away. When she re turned the child stated that the ae cused had taken the purse. Witness followed her into a bus, which she stopped outside the Police Station, tho accused having denied that she had taken the money. Witness went into the Police Station, accused also getting off there. Evidence was given by a child of the previous witness, who stated that accused had offered to hold her mother’s coat and purse. She also detailed accused taking the purse out of tho hag and running away. Helen Rodgers, police matron, stated that she searched accused on Saturday, finding, besides other money, a 10s note in her stocking. The accused, in evidence, said that she'took her two children to the show on Saturday afternoon, being accompanied by another woman. She was accosted on a bus by Mrs Couchman, who accused her of having taken her 'purse. She denied this, and when asked to go into the Police Station she did so willingly. She admitted two previous convictions for theft. The Magistrate: How did the money corns to he in your stocking?

Accused: I drew ill 18s in the morning. 1 never carry notes when I go to'the Exhibition.

At this stage the magistrate adjourned the case until 2 p.m. in order to allow the accused to call a witness. When the case was resumed this afternoon Elizabeth Drew denied that she had been with the accused all Saturday afternoon. stated that she was only with her for five minutes. Ihe accused was convicted on the theft charge, and was remanded until Saturday for medical observation in order to see whether she should be sent to Pakatoa. The Accused: Give me another chance, and I will never touch a drop more drink. Ihe Magistrate: You are remanded until Saturday.