POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 21319, 25 January 1933, Page 6

POLICE COURT

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25. (Before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.) CHARGES DISMISSED. Frank Gibson Woods was charged indecently assaulting a girl of eight years, and attempted indecent assault of a second girl, also of eight years. He was represented by Mr Osborno Stevens. After the case had been heard, the Magistrate said that there was not sufficient evidence to commit the accused on either charge. Woods was accordingly discharged. THREE MONTHS’ HARD LABOUR. Campbell MacDonald, alias Allan Cameron MacDonald, pleaded guilty to a charge of the theft of goods valued at £2 6s lid, from the warehouse of John Mitchell, at Port Chalmers. He was represented by Mr B. S. Irwin. Detective-sergeant Nuttall stated that the accused was seen near the band rotunda at Port Chalmers under the influence of liquor. A constable saw him go into a right-of-way near Mitchell’s store, and come out later with a tin under his arm. Detective Russell interviewed him next day, and he admitted taking some of the articles, which were found planted in a tree in a gully. Three tins of biscuits had not been recovered, and some of the other goods had been tampered with. MacDonald was a married man, twentyeight years of age, and lived with his wife and two children at Sawyers Bay. He had a formidable list. Mr Irwin said that drink was the man’s failing. It was obvious that he was drunk or he would not have shown himself with the stolen goods. He admitted taking only one tin. Counsel suggested that others were implicated. Mr Nuttall added that the goods stolen could not have been taken away in one, or even two, loads. The Magistrate said that in view of MacDonald’s previous convictions, there was only one course to adopt. Ho would he sentenced to three months' hard labour.