YOUNG MAN WITH REVOLVER

Evening Star, Issue 20778, 28 April 1931, Page 8

YOUNG MAN WITH REVOLVER

SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT DETERRENT NECESSARY That he carried n revolver for the purpose of frightening one of his companions, a boy sixteen years of- age, was the explanation put forward in the Police Court this morning by Edward Ward, who pleaded guilty to carrying a revolver without some lawful, proper, and sufficient purpose. The Magistrate (Mr J. 11. Bartholomew, S.M.) said that the explanation was unsubstantial and unsatisfactory, and he imposed a term of imprisonment. _ Detective-sergeant Nuttal! said that about 10.45 on tho night of April 2G the accused and two other youths were seen by Sergeant Isbister in Manor place under suspicious circumstances. The sergeant kept them under observation when they went across to the doorway of the Otago Farmres’ Co : op.. two plain clothes constables joining the sergeant. A revolver was placed on the window sill, where one of tho constables found it. The accused was interviewed tho next night, and denied all knowledge of the revolver until confronted by diis companions. Ho then said he had carried tho revolver for the purpose of frightening a youth sixteen years of age, and for tho same reason he had carried keys which he attempted to (it into the door of the Otago If armors’ Co-op. This was the third occasion in tho past three months that a man had been found carrying n revolver in tho city, and tho police looked upon it as a serious matter. No ammunition was found with the revolver. The accused had been employed as a biscuit maker until December last year, and ho was now working two days a week on relief works. . Tho accused said he had tried no keys in tho door. He went to the banners Co-op. to frighten tho boy with them, as the latter was “ young and (licit* t know anything.” He found tho revolver on a rubbish tip. Tho Magistrate: Why did you want to frighten the hoy? Tho accused: For fun. . .. “ That explanation is too thin,’ replied the magistrate. The accused appeared to have been on the premises referred to for some sinister purpose. Jhc court would have to adopt an attitude to act at a deterrent in such cases as the present. , , . Tho accused was sentenced to throe months’ imprisonment, with hard labour.