ANOTHER CHANCE

Grey River Argus, 30 May 1938, Page 4

ANOTHER CHANCE

APPEAL FROM DOCK. AUCKLAND, May 26. With tears streaming down his face, Charles King, labourer, aged 50, asked for a last chance and pleaded not to be sent back to prison, when he appeared before Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday. Accused admitted charges of using obscene language and resisting Constable B. P. Mexted while in the execution of his duty in Montague Street, City, on Saturday night. Sub-Inspector Fox said the constable was called to a house in Montague Street, where accused had created a disturbance. The constable was leaving after cautioning accused when the obscene language was used in the hearing of other persons. When arrested accused resisted violently, and had to be held down by the constable until a taxi arrived.

“Accused has a bad record, being declared an habitual criminal some years ago,” added Mr Fox. “He was released from a term of three years’ imprisonment in March.” “Please give me another chance,” said accused, addressing the Magistrate. “I have been leading a straight and honourable life since I came out of prison. I have a good job, and am earning nearly £5 a week. If I go back to prison I might be there for years.”

The Magistrate said the offeree of resisting a constable was a serious one, and accused knew what the consequences were.

“I know, but don’t send me back,” said acused. “On Saturday I had the first drink I have tasted for three years. I did not know what I was doing. Give me this last chance and I will not let you down.”

The probation officer, Mr J. Anderson, said he knew accused well, and he was worthy of another chance. Mr Fox said he appreciated the probable result if accused were returned to gaol, and added that the police were not pressing for a heavy penalty. “I, too, know what it may mean if you were sent back to prison, so I will give you another chance,” said the Magistrate, in convicting accused and ordering him to come up for sentence if called upon within six months.