POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 21090, 30 April 1932, Page 13

POLICE COURT

SATURDAY, APRIL 30. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.)] A MONTH’S HARD LABOUR. Robert Gardner pleaded guilty to ai charge of stealing an overcoat valued at 32s 6d, the property of Kilroy and Sutherland. Sub-inspector Cameron said that about 6.15 last night the accused, in company with a companion, was seen outside Kilroy and Sutherland’s shop in Princes street. He was to go and take a coat which was hanging in the doorway and make oft’ down the street. A constable followed him, and he threw the coat into a doorway and tried to get away. However, he was caught and taken back to the shop, where the coat was recognised. He was a thorough blackguard, and had been many times before the court. He had a formidable list. Counsel for the accused said it was difficult to say anything in mitigation of the offence. The man’s failing appeared to be drink, and on this occasion he had had a considerable amount of liquor. He had been married five or six months, and on that account counsel asked the court to give the man a chance to see if his wife’s influence would have any effect on him. The Magistrate said that in view of the accused’s list and also that he hadshown no change of heart since his last conviction, he could not accede to counsel’s request. A sentence of a month’s hard labour was imposed. THEFT OP COAL. John Purcell and Maud Hamilton were charged with stealing coal valued at Bs, the property of the New Zealand Government. Purcell pleaded guilty, and Hamilton not guilty. Eric William Shelton, investigating officer for the New Zealand Railways, said that at 6.35 this morning he was with a traffic inspector. The two accused came to the Anderson’s Bay road siding in a cart and the male accused took coal from two trucks and passed it into the cart in which the woman was sitting. He did not know whether; she touched the coal or not._ The female defendant said she was merely sitting in the cart and did not touch one piece of coal. His Worship said that in view of tha evidence the charge against tlm woman would be dismissed. ■ Addressing tha nude accused, the Magistrate said < it seemed he was rather given to taking things which were not his own. It was not a case of merely picking up scattered coal. He appeared to have deliberately gone to get the coal at what would appear an opportune time of getting away with it. He would ha sentenced to seven days’ imprisonment.