MOTOR CAR CONVERSION

Evening Star, Issue 20585, 10 September 1930, Page 8

MOTOR CAR CONVERSION

YOUNG MEN CHARGED ONE SENT TO BORSTAL At the Police Court this morning Alick M'Murray and John Alexander O’Donnell were jointly charged with stealing two motor car keys, valued at ss, the property of Stanton Douglas Lawson, and O’Donnell was charged with unlawfully converting to his own use a car, valued at £2OO, the property of Mary Campbell. The two accused also appeared for sentence on a charge of unlawfully converting to their own use, but not so as to be guilty of theft, a motor car, valued at £2OO, the property of Howard Cecil Alloo. Mr M'Leod (instructed by Mr White) appeared for O’Donnell, and said that Mr White had been suddenly called out of town and desired a remand for two da Mr E. J. Anderson, who represented M'Murray, said he was not agreeable to the application. Chief-detective Cameron said he was opposed to any further remand, and the magistrate intimated that the. case would have to proceed. ■ ■ ... The accused each pleaded not guilty to the theft of the keys. Stanton Douglas Lawson, tanner, residing at Elder street, said he left his car standing in Cumberland street on the afternoon of August 29 last, the keys (produced) being left in the car. When witness returned after fifteen minutes’ absence the keys were missing. John Calder Mowat, contractor, residing at Glenross street, said he took Detective Jenvey and another police officer aboard his car. and they pursued another car, which they caught, Detective Jenvey arresting the accused. His car had not been unlocked during the following week-end, and the, windows were closed. When Mr Kitto, one or his drivers, brought the car out the following Monday morning, he handed witness a pair or motor car keys (produced), which were found on the floor at the back of the car, while another three keys (produced) were found on the back seat when they reached Evansdale, , , , Charles Frederick Kitto, employed by the previous witness, gave corroborative evidence in regard to the finding of the keys. ' . . Detective Jenvey gave evidence as to the arrest of the two accused who were in charge of a cai which they had unlawfully unconverted. They were placed in the back of Mowat’s car. On. the way to the Police Station witness heard a chink, as of metal striking the floor, but he did not put it down to keys being dropped, attributing it to some tools that were on the floor. When the keys were found the accused both denied that the keys had been in their possession . „ To Mr Anderson r Witness did not notice any movement on the part of M'Murray during the journey to the station, but O’Donnell reached into his pockets for cigarettes. The Magistrate said that the evidence in this case was inconclusive,and unless the police could show that the accused were in consort it was necessary to prove which one was responsible That the prosecution had not been able' to do, and the informa-i tion would be dismissed. -

M’Murray was then dealt with on the charge of conversion to which he had pleaded guilty, Mr Anderson urging that the benefits of probation should bo extended to him.

The Magistrate said that car convert sion was a serious offence, but the ac-i cused had had two weeks in custody,; and he thought that probation might be extended to M‘Murray. The accused M‘Murray was accordingly admitted to probation for a period of two years, the choice of his associates and amusements being left to the discretion of the probation officer. To the charge of conversion of the car belonging to Mary Campbell,' O’Donnell peaded not guilty. Donald Campbell, residing at Winga* tui, said he, took his mother’s car to go to the Skating Rink on the evening of August 26. The car was at the parking place when witness went there at 12 o’clock, but at about 2 o’clock it was gone. John Lachlan M'Lean, stable hand, said that on the night of August 26 O’Donnell came to witness’s whareand told him he had taken a car. Witness told him he was silly and to get into bed. The next morning witness told O’Donnell hb did not believe he had stolen the car, but when witness was exercising the horses the next day accused pointed out the car to him. Witness told accused he should take tha car to the police station, and he said he would. The same night witness and accused were at a dance at Kaikorai, and the latter wanted witness to go home in the car, but witness refused,Witness saw a notice in the phpee about Mrs Campbell’s car being taken, and when he saw her in the steeet faei told her where it was. Mary Campbell, residing at Wingatui, said that after missing her car she saw nothing of it until she met M'Lean, who told her he had passed her cap parked in Pont street, where she recovered it. . . , Constable Connor said that he had seen the car in Josephine and returned to the Caversham Police Station to try and get in touch with the owner. When he returned the car was gone. Detective Jenvey said that when he interviewed the accused, O’Donnell denied the conversion of the car. As the result of an interview with M'Lean. Witness again saw the accused, who said that some parts of M'Lean’s statement were true. t This concluded the evidence for tha prosecution. William Henry Moulin said that on August 26 he met the accused, witness detailing the movements of himself and the accused on .the night in question.! They were at, the .-Fire Brigade danca from 11 p.m. until about 12.30, and witness loft the accused at the Rattray; street corner about 12.45 a.m.

Betty Templeton gave evidence that a girl friend and she had walked from the Fire Brigade dance as far as Rat* tray street with the accused, whom: they had left about 1 a.m. The Magistrate said that the evidence of the last two witnesses was in* consistent with that of the others. It was not definite enough. On this charge the accused O’Donnell was or* dered to be detained in the Borstal hi* stitution for two years, a conviction being entered up on the charge to which he had previously pleaded guilty.-