POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 22327, 1 May 1936, Page 12

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, MAY 1. (Before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.). DRUNKENNESS. James Robert Shicls (27) was fined 10s in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. A first offender was fined 12s 6d in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. INTOXICATED DRIVER. John Jesse Woodford appeared for sentence on a charge of Being in a state of intoxication while driving a car. Mr G. T. Bailee said that the evidence showed that Woodford had only two shillings in his possession early .in the day, and contended that he could not have been very intoxicated. The Magistrate: The number of relief workers who appear before the court on charges of drunkenness disposes of that argument, Mr Baylee. Woodford was also charged with disobedience of a maintenance order, the arrears of which amounted to £24 5s 6d. , The arrears over £5 were remitted, and Woodford was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment, the warrant to be suspended if he pays the £5 in three weeks, and continues on relief work. As regards the intoxication charge, the magistrate said that Woodford had already spent four days in prison. His license would be cancelled, he would be prohibited from driving for 12 months, he would be ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within that time. His Worship added that he adopted this course partly in view of the defendant’s financial position and the fact that monetary penalty would constitute more of a punishment on his wife and child. “If you come before the court again,” concluded Mr Bundle, “ you may depend on this—you will be sentenced to a substantial term of imprisonment.” UNLAWFULLY OX PREMISES. Odin Ronald Devlin, Harold Lincoln Chooque, and Jack Fraser Hossnck were each fined 10s and costs for being on hotel premises after hours. Albert Eduard Smithers, who, according to the Probationer Officer, was “saturated with drink,” was.fined £1 and costs on each of two charges of procuring liquor while prohibited. UNLICENSED RADIO. Jack Drew was fined 30s and costs for using an unlicensed wireless set. Similarly charged, Amy' Elizabeth Phillips was fined 10s and costs. REMANDED IN CUSTODY. The adjourned charges against Joseph Sutherland of using obscene language and of assaulting Fanny Josephine May Sutherland were resumed. , Mr 0. G. Stevens, who represented Sutherland, intimated that the accused now pleaded guilty to using abusive language. With regard to the assault, no damage had been done to the daughter, and he suggested that this charge be withdrawn. Sergeant O’Shea said that she had had to receive medical treatment since the adjournment of the case on Tuesday, her eye being, badly inflamed. The Magistrate- (to Mrs Sutherland) : Do you wish to proceed with the assault charge? Mrs Sutherland: I don't see why he should bo let off. He had done it before. Sergeant O’Shea said that when the accused was before the court on Monday he was warned to keep away 7 from his wife, but had violated the magistrate’s instructions and had visited his home. ■ t Evidence of Sutherland's visits to the house, totalling three, was given by his wife, Emma Sutherland. “ The court is well acquainted with this-man,” said Mr Stevens. “ All his offences practically have arisen out of drink. When he has had liquor he is in the nature of a cheerful nuisance, but when .crossed he is inclined to become “ nasty.” Counsel suggested that instead of the wife going to licensees of hotels and warning them not to serve Sutherland, the wiser course would have been to have had a prohibition order taken out against him. Had such a course been taken this trouble near the wharf would probably not have occurred. Concerning the obscene language charge, Sutherland was drunk when the words were used. . The Magistrate: There was no justification for using such language, particularly to his wife. Mr Stevens said that in view of all the circumstances if a prohibition order were taken out by Sutherland and he kept away from drink, the ends of justice would be met. With regard to his visits to the house, the accused wished to obtain clothes, as he was sleeping out at the time. The Magistrate: When the case was adjourned, Sutherland, you gave your word not to go near your family. You have broken that word, and will have to bear the consequences. The charge of assault was adjourned for 12 months, conditional on Sutherland being of good behaviour. On the charge of obscene language, he was remanded in custody for three days, the magistrate taking info consideration when making the remand the fact that Sutherland had visited the house since the adjournment of the case. UNLIGHTED CYCLE. Gilbert George Strong was fined 5s and costs for riding an unlighted cycle. CAR UNATTENDED. Robert B. Andrew was fined 10s and costs for leaving his car unattended in Princes street for a longer period than is permitted. WARNING TO MOTOR CYCLISTS. A charge against Hector John Macphersem of using a motor cycle with a cut-out was withdrawn, the Magistrate sa.ying that these proceedings would act as a warning to others. UNLICENSED MILK VENDOR. Thomas William Dickson, charged with selling milk without a license, was fined os and costs.