VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 222, 26 September 1910, Page 7

VICTIM OF CIRCUMSTANCES.

A FALSE CHARGE,

An example of how easily a man may fall a victim to circumstances not altogether of his own shaping was given at the Magistrate's Court an Thursday (says the N.Z. Times), when a young man named John Arnold Moran appeared on remand before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M.. on a charge of assaulting and robbing Alfred Imrie of a silver watch, a wristband, an overcoat, and a cap on the 19th instant. INCORRECT STORY.

"Since Moran's arrest," said SubInspector Norwood, "Detective Rawle has investigated the case and found tnat a statement made by the complainant was entirely false." It appears that Constable Gallery came upon three men apparently having a physical dispute in Marion. Street a little before midnight on Monday. On seeing the constable, Moran and another man made off, leaving Imrie, the complainant in this case, standing. Imrie pointed to Moran and informed the constable that he (Moran) had assaulted and robbed him. Constable Callery gave chase and arrested Moran, who resisted violently, and was ver ymuch under the influence of drink. On being searched the articles mentioned in the indictment were found on him, with the exception of the overcoat, which he threw away when chased. From inquiries made it was found that Moran was not mixed up in the fight at all, but was merely holding Imrie's belongings whilst he and another man were fighting. The injuries from which Imrie was suffering were the result of the fight he had with, the third man, and were not inflicted by Moran as was alleged. Moran admitted that it was foolish and incriminating on his part to run away, but he was under the influence of drink at the j time. He expressed a desire to take out a prohibition order against himself.

"It is unfortunate for you that you were under the influence of drink and ran away at the time," said, his Worship to Moran. "Perhaps you will have an action against Imrie, but that may not be worth much."

The information was withdrawn by leave of the Court.