POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 21218, 27 September 1932, Page 1

POLICE COURT

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.)] THEFT CHARGE. Richard Carter pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a petrol ‘lighter valued at Is lid, the property of Wool-i worths Ltd. Chief-detectivo Young said that the accused went to Wool worths’ just before closing time last night. A number of pipe lighters were displayed,and he was seen by one of the girls to conceal one of them in his hand. He then walked out of the shop, but was accosted by the girl. He denied having a lighter, but the girl held him, . and another girl, came to her assist- , anee. Ho threw them against the shop ' window, and made to bolt, but he was detained by a shop-walker and taken back into the shop, where he apparently got rid of the lighter by throwing it on the floor. He was detained by the police, and subsequently admitted the offence. He was twentythree years of age, married, with one child, and Chief-detective Young said he could not say anything in the accused’s favour. He was a man who was addicted to drink and associated with other criminals. He was before the court in 1928 on charges of breaking and entering, and was admitted to probation. Mr Young understood that his conduct while on probation was not good. Counsel for the accused said that his client had .kept out of trouble for some considerable time. He was out of work, and yesterday lie met some friends and had some drink. Counsel asked that the case be adjourned to allow him to call evidence in the accused’s favour, and a remand till tomorrow was granted. TROUBLE AT GREEN ISLAND. John Carlisle Beale and Torrance Woodford were charged with behaving in a disorderly manner at Green Island. Beale pleaded not guilty and Woodford guilty. Constable Hamilton said .that at 8.45 last night he was informed that a fight was taking place in school street, and when he was 50yds from the scene he saw Woodford on top of another man, both being on the ground. He pulled Woodford off and found that both were bleeding badly. He was told that an argument had taken place in a billiard room adjoining, and that the men had adjourned outside to settle it.

Beale, in evidence, said that Woodford had come to the billiard room amt had asked him to come outside to settle an argument. -Witness was not ready then, and told him to leave it till the morning. However, when he left to go home, Woodford was’ waiting for him, and after a few words a fight started. To sub-inspector Cameron witness said he was barman at his father’s hotel, and he had refused to supply Wnpdford with drink yesterday, afternoon.' There had been some ill-feeling between them for some time. Woodford struck him first. He had known Woodford for some time, and bailed him: out after being arrested. Woodford said lie only put his hand on Beale’s shoulder and shook him, and Beale struck him. That started the fight. The Sub-inspector said that Woodford had been mixed up in two or three disturbances, but Beale was not of a quarrelsome disposition. The Magistrate said it looked as if Beale had had to defend himself. The charge against Beale would be dismissed, and Woodford would be fined 20s, in default three days’ imprisonment.