POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13354, 7 December 1906, Page 7

POLICE COURT NEWS.

THEFT OF WATCHES,

At the Police Court yesterday, before Mr. R. W. Dyer, S.M., a young man nam«d John Hanslow, alias John Smith, for whom Mr. J. R. Lundon appeared, pleaded not guilty to a charge of stealing two watches, valued at 275, the property of Peter Choy. Sub-Inspector Cordon prosecuted.

Complainant, a shopkeeper, carrying on business in Grey-street, stated that on the night of the 29th ult. accused came into his shop. When witness went to light tho gas in a room oft' the shop he. saw accused conic from behind the counter, and then run away. Witness; followed accused, calling out " Police." On returning to the shop witness found that two watches were missing from the shop window. Witness had previously shown tin- watches to accused, who wonted to know the price of them.

To Mr. Luudou: The watches were kept on a plate, in the shop window. Witness tried to catch accused, but just missed him.

A Chinese boy, win. .saw Choy running alter a man on the night in question, identified Hanslow as the fugitive. Accused, a carter, denied ever being in the complainant's shop. flu knew nothing about the watches.

Robert Moore, a. traveller, and a friend of accused, said Hanslow was in his company from a-quarter past seven p.m. on the night of the theft until the Opera House came out.

Ml'. Dyer said he felt perfectly satisfied that accused took the watches. He could not credit accused's denial. The offence was a serious one.

Hanslow was sentenced to a month's im prisonment, without the option ot a fine.

AX UNDESIRABLE IMMIGRANT

ILL-TREATS HIS WIFE.

David B. Brown was charged with failing to provide his wife (Ellen Brown) with adequate, means of maintenance. Airs. Brown also applied to have a separation order issued against her husband, on the ground of persistent cruelty. Mr. Hrooktield appeared for the complainant. ■ In opening the case for the complainant Mr. Hrooktield said defendant was "one of our immigrants—a most undesirable immigrant." He (defendant) had threatened to thrash his wife and dash her brains out.

Emily Hollit*, a married woman, residing in Clarence-street, who said Mr.". Brown slept at her house, gave evidence as to the defendant's treatment of his wife. Witness said her husband on. one occasion asked Brown what he wanted, and lit? replied, "What you can't give.'' Mr. Hollis theic- | upon gave Brown a thrashing. The complainant said she was 18 years old, and her husband 36 yews. She would be afraid of her husband if she met him alone in the street. If there were any men about she would not be afraid, as he was a coward. Defendant said he was quite willing to support his wife. Mr. Dyer stated that the way in which defendant had treated his wife was disgraceful, fho separation order was granted. Brown was ordered to contribute 10s per week towards the maintenance of his wife. 'CRUELTY TO A HORSE. William Thomas, for whom Mr. Clayton appeared, ' pleaded guilty to a charge of cruelly ill-treating a horse on November 26. Mr. Clayton said defendant had worked the horse when it was not in a fit state for work. On the date mentioned one of defendant's horses lost a. shoe, and defendant put the horse in question in the milk waggon. , Inspector Alder stated that the horse had several sores on its shoulders and wither. ... Defendant was, fined,£s, and.costs £I.los. AX ELDERLY THIEF. Robert McCullough, an old man, was charged with .stealing a stone gad and a crowbar, valued at 6s, the property of James Ferguson. Chief-Detective Marsack, who prosecuted, said the crowbar and the gad had since been recovered on accused's premises. . Accused was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. , A SERIOUS CHARGE. Claude Marmant, a youth, charged with assaulting a six-year-old girl on Wednesday last, was remanded until 1 Tuesday next. Mr. J. R. Reed, who appeared for accused, applied for bail, which was allowed in two sureties of £50, or one of £100. DRUNKENNESS. Frederick Wooley, charged with drunkenness (a fourth offence), and with having liquor in his possession during the currency of a prohibition order, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment', on the first charge, and a. month on the. second, the ; sentences to be concurrent. William Reardon, similarly charged, was fined 10s and costs on the first charge, and £2 and costs on the second.

Of four first offenders, charged with drunkenness, three were each fined 5s and costs, or, in default, 24 hours' imprisonment, and the other 10.« and costs, in default, 48 hours.