THIRD APPEARANCE IN COURT WITHIN A MONTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 April 1948, Page 3

THIRD APPEARANCE IN COURT WITHIN A MONTH

Making his third appearance in the Police Court at Greymouth within a month, Reuben Charles Whitford Darling, aged 34 years, single, described as a miner, was sentenced to one month’s gaol by Messrs M. J. Fogarty and N. V. Lovell, J.P.’s, this morning. Darling was re-arrested at Blackball yesterday afternoon by Constable A. E? K. Keown, and appeared for sentence on a charge of being deemed an idle and disorderly person, in that he had insufficient lawful .means, of support. He was convicted of that charge at Greymouth on March 22, and was ordered by Mr A. A. McLachlan, S.M., to come up for sentence within six months if called upon. <•' He was also charged with being found drunk in Hart street, Blackball, yesterday, with using obscene language, with resisting Constable Keown in the execution of his duty, and with travelling on a railway carriage between Mawheraiti and Greymouth on January 19 last without paying his fare. He pleaded guilty to all charges and elected to be dealt with summarily on the obscene language charge. Sergeant H. O. Hansen said that the accused was arrested at Blackball at 6.45 p.m. yesterday. When informed that he was being taken into custody he used the language set out in the charge and offered to fight the constable. The incident took place outside the post office and there were a number of people about. When he was being conveyed to the police station, the accused violently resisted the constable. He had drawn part of his wages yesterday, amounting to £2, but when interviewed by the constable regarding the non-payment of the railway fare, amounting to 4s 3d, he refused payment. “He is not exactly a stranger to the court,” commented the sergeant, in handing the Justices a list of the accused’s previous convictions. “It is only drink that causes it. That is all I have to say,” replied the accused, when asked if he had anything to say. Mr Fogarty: You have a very long list against you and you have pleaded guilty to several counts today. On the charge of using obscene language you will be sentenced to one month’s gaol and on the other charges you will be convicted and discharged.