POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 22559, 29 January 1937, Page 11

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29. (Before Sir H. W. Bundle, S.M.) DRUNKENNESS. A first offender \tas fined 10s, in default 24 hours’ imprisonment. CYCLING WITHOUT A LIGHT. For cycling without a light, Colin Power was fined 10s and costs, the Magistrate stating that the increase in fine from the customary 5s would he in conformity with the spirit of the new regulations. MOTORISTS CHARGED. Owen Davi Helm, whose borrowed motor truck got out of control and hit a taxi, was fined £5 and_ costs for dangerous driving. The conviction was ordered to be endorsed on his license. “ The car could have been pushed , anywhere,” commcnted.Senior.-sergeant Packer, when James H. Ferguson was charged with having inefficient brakes. His car crashed into the back of a railway bus near Ravensbourne. A fine of 40s and costs was imposed. Owen Isadore Butler (Mr C. J. L. White), whose motor car struck another vehicle a glancing blow while he was rounding a bend near Green Island, was fined 20s and costs for failing to keep to the left of the centre line of the road. He was convicted for not possessing a driver’s license, and his father, George Butler, was fined 10s and costs for employing an unlicensed driver. Arthur Keegan, whose motor truck caused an obstruction at the foot of High street, was fined 10s and costs. For parking his car too near a corner John Lucy was fined 10s and costs. James Westropp Moreland was fined 10s and costs for failing to produce a driver’s license when ordered to do so by a constable. He was ordered to pay court costs (10s) for turning a motor car other than at an intersection. For hiring a motor car to Moreland when he did not possess a license White Star Taxis were ordered to pay court costs (10s). James Alexander Stevenson was fined 20s and costs for failing to keep to the left or the road. A charge of cutting a corner against Edmund Charles Flynn (Mr W. D. Taylor) was dismissed. “ACT OF GROSS FOLLY.” Three 'young _ men—Verdon Joseph Chettleburgh, Vincent Stapp, and Donald M'Donald—were charged with being found without lawful excuse, but under circumstances that did not disclose the commission of or intention to commit any offence, in a building in Moray Place. Mr J. G. Warrington appeared for accused. Senior-sergeant Packer said that at 1.40 this morning Chettleburgh was seen by a constable on the roof of a verandah of a house near the Town Hall. He could not give a satisfactory explanation. Inquiries were made at the house, and it was found that the three men had been unlawfully on the premises trying to find out where two young women had a room. Chettleburgh went back, and was then seen by the constable on the verandah roof. Nothing was known against the accused, all of whom were of good character. They had been_ drinking, and were carrying a gallon jar of beer. Mr Warrington suggested that the case might be met by conviction for drunkenness. All had excellent characters. They had gone into the wrong door, but Chettleburgh’s later presence on the roof was unlawful. It would be a serious matter for the men if they were convicted of the offence of which they were charged. There was no criminality about their action, which was a piece of folly following the consumption of liquor. He knew from his personal knowledge of two of the men that they would not offend again. Senior-sergeant Packer said two of the men showed signs of liquor, but M’Donald was quite sober. The house was one in which rooms were let. “ One of the punishments for them all would have been a thoroughly good thrashing at the time,” said the Magistrate. “ However, a charge of this nature is one which usually applies to men on property with criminal intent, but the nature of the criminal intent cannot be actually defined. This is more an act of gross folly.” After the three men had_ taken out prohibition orders, the Magistrate said that in view of the circumstances he was loth, considering the records of the men, to enter a conviction, which might have a very serious effect. The charges would be adjourned for 12 months, conditional on the good behaviour of each accused. An application for suppression of publication of the names was refused, Mr Bundle stating that he had already done bis utmost in the interests of the . 1

BREACH OF INDUSTRIAL ACT. ■ For the purpose of allowing the defendant an opportunity of paying £ls in back wages, a charge against George Alfred Brookes of failing to_ pay prescribed wages and of employing a boy under the age of 16 years as a shop assistant before 7 a.m. had been adjourned from last year. When the case was resumed Mr W. H Carson, who represented Brookes, said that the back wages had now been Pa Qn the first charge Brookes was fined 20s and costs, and on the second charge he was ordered to pay court costs.