FALSE COMPLAINT TO POLICE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 22 June 1936, Page 6

FALSE COMPLAINT TO POLICE

SHOWMAN AND HIRED CAR (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, 19th June. Colin McDonald, labourer and showman, did not appear in the Police Court to-day to answer a summons charge of having made a false statement to the police by alleging that an offence had been committed. He was represented by Mr Aekins, who entered a plea of guilty. Senior-Detective Hall said McDonald had hired a rental car and the morning after taking it from the Arm’s garage he called at the police station and made a complaint that it had been unlawfully converted. McDonald made and signed a statement that the car had gone over a bank in Ponsonby and had been damaged to the extent of £25. Detectives made inquiries which showed that the car had gone over the bank at 8 o’clock the night previous to McDonald reporting its conversion. He subsequently admitted that while being driven by another man the car had gone over the bank, and that, thinking he would be held responsible, he reported its unlawful conversion to the police. McDonald had a lengthy list of previous convictions. Mr Aekins submitted that no great harm had been done by McDonald, who was a showman and was at present in the country. He had a wife and three children to keep. His actions were consistent with having taken liquor. “It is not a trivial matter,” said Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., in Aning the defendant £5 or twenty-one days’ imprisonment. McDonald was allowed one week in which to pay.