Tin of Pepper as Defensive Weapon

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6864, 21 May 1932, Page 5

Tin of Pepper as Defensive Weapon

PENALTIES FOR RIOTING. ACCUSED’S QUAINT PLEA Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. Three more men were convicted in the Police Court yesterday by Mr. E. Page, S.M., on charges arising out of tho window smashing incidents on Tuesday, May 10th. Decision was reserved in one case and two others were dismissed on the ground that identify had not been definitely proved. One man admitted being in possession of a tin of pepper, but maintained ho was carrying this purely as a defensive weapon. This was the case that the Magistrate deferred for consideration. Tho offences proved were not of a very serious nature and the penalties Were more lenient than in the cailicr cases. George Alexander Robert Iving, aged 32, charged with inciting lawlessness, was sentenced to threo months' imprisonment. Frederick Alexander Corby, seaman, aged 28, was charged with obstructing a constable in the execution of his duty and was fined £3. Ernest Walter Dudley, a plumber, aged 32, was charged with inciting lawlessness and was ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within twelve months. Norman Heidcnstron, a draiulaycr, aged 36, was acquitted of a charge of having broken tho windows of W. H. Lloyd, jeweller, in Lambton Quay, the Magistrate holding that the police had not established identification. William George Lovatt, seaman, aged 26, charged with breaking the windows of the premises of David Dalton and Celine Rodgers, was also given the benefit of tho doubt. Charles Maurice Brooks, labourer, aged 36, was remanded until Wednesday next in order to allow the Magistrate to consider tho evidence proffered in the charge that he was armed with an offensive weapon with a felonious intent. Tho weapon cizsistcd of a tin of pepper, which accused said he I carried as a defensive and not as an offensive weapon against . the special constables^,