POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13722, 11 April 1908, Page 9

POLICE COURT NEWS.

NINE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. ,\j the Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. J. C. Spedding and J. Shepherd, J.P.'s, a burly individual, William Pearson, was charged with vagrancy and with having in his possession three skeleton keys. He was further charged with assaulting Maria Fitzpatrick, and with breaking windows and articles of furniture valued at £3, belonging to her. Accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The evidence showed that accused had not been known to do any work for some 15 months. One witness stated that he saw accused throw an open jack-knife at Mrs. Fitzpatrick. It missed her and stuck in the floor. Pearson, who indignantly denied these allegations, was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, and was ordered to keep the peace for six months after he came out. and to find a surety of £10. THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT. A young man, William Martin, was charged with stealing a watch and chain worth £4 15s, belonging to Stewart Campbell. Mr. Hackett appeared for the accused, and Chief-Detective Marsack prosecuted. Campbell stated in evidence that accused accosted him in a' hotel, claiming acquaintance with him, and also saying he was a good stripper-keeper. Witness said that if he was as good as he made himself out to be he would give him <<- job at lis per day. He lent accused aolf-a-crown and also "shouted" for him. When leaving the hotel accused snatched at his watch-chain, breaking it at the guard, and bolted with he chain and watch. The latter was only an old W,il<:«'bury, worth 2s 6d, but the chain was worth over £4. Several other witnesses gave evidence for the prosecution. Accused's defence was that Campbell and himself had several drinks at the hotel together, but he did not leave with complainant He met the latter again after tea in the hotel. He absolutely denied the robbery. Mr. Hackett. submitted there was no case for accused to answer. The Bench said that although the circumstances were exceedingly suspicious they would give accused the benefit of the doubt and dismiss the case. ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES. A young man of good appearance, George Maurice Curson, alias George Wilson, was charged that on April 7, by a false pretence, he obtained from George Edward Reid two gold chains and two pairs of sleevelinks, valued at £16, and also with having pawned the articles without the consent of the owner. Chief-Detective Marsack asked for a remand until Thursday next, as other charges were being brought against the accused. The remand was granted, bail being allowed in two sureties of £50 each and accused's own bond of £100. EXPENSIVE TROUSERS. f Albert Johnston, alias Tones, a young man, was charged with stealing on April 9 a pair. of trousers, value 12s 6d, the property of J. 8. Dickson. Sub-Inspector Gordon, who prosecuted, stated that accused took the trousers from outside Mr. Dickson's shop, and made off with them. Bystanders gave chase, and caught him in Commerce-street. Accused, who had a, vary bad record, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Win. Carlton was charged with using obscene language on March 30. He pleaded not guilty. ■ Evidence being given accused was sentenced to two months' imprisonment. BOYS IN MISCHIEF. Four small boys were charged with damaging a'spring cart, value £2, the property of Leonard Morrison. They all pleaded not guilty. It was stated in evidence that on March 22 the boys in question were playing with the trap. They turned it round and let it go down a hill. When it got to the bottom it turned on its side, and the splashboard was broken and the wheel buckled. The juvenile offenders were convicted and ordered to'pay the cost of the damage done. JERRY-BUILT HOUSE. Thomas Wright, defended by Mr. Woodward, was charged with using dead, rotten sap and wormwood for a building now in construction in Newton. Mr. Stanton prosecuted. Evidence was adduced to show that Wright ordered three loads of medium timber and used it in the construction of the building. The inspector came along and condemned the wood. Defendant took it out of the building and stacked it in the yard. He refused to take it off the site. A fine of £2 and costs (28s) was imposed. PECULIAR ASSAULT CASK. A middle-aged man, Frank Rowes, was charged with assaulting two brothers, on April 2, by striking them on the head with a, stick. Mr. Singer, for defendant, said he would plead guilty, and was willing that his client, should be bound over to keep the peace. SubInspector Gordon described the circumstances, from which it appeared that the case arose out of the attentions of the defendant (who was said to be a married man separated from his wife) to the complainants' sister, which they objected to. Mr. Singer said he thought the case would be met by binding defendant over to keep the peace for 12 months. Defendant might have been suffering from a misconception, but he certainly had an idea he was acting in self-defence. The Bench decided to fine Rowes £5 on each charge, half the fine to go to the complainants, who appeared in Court with their heads bandaged. Defendant was also ordered to pay costs (£7 16s 6d), and was bound over to keep the peace* for 12 months. TRUANCY GASES. For failing to send their children to school, Frederick Piatt, William Conley. and Margaret Wadsworth were each fined 6s and costs (7s), and Alfred Smith was fined 5% and costs (17s). INEBRIATES. George Harrison was charged with drunkenness, and further with being a rogue and a vagabond with insufficient means of support. He was remanded for a week's' medical treatment. - Five first offenders were convicted. One was discharged on payment of cab fare, and the remainder were fined 5s each and costs.