POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14629, 15 March 1911, Page 5

POLICE COURT NEWS.

ASSAULTING A NURSE.

SUBSTANTIAL FINE INFLICTED.

A peculiar tale of a squabble in a Devonport house was unfolded in the Auckland Police Court yesterday, before Messrs. C. Norgrove, G. W. Ravenhill, and M. Casey, justices of the peace. A wellbuilt man named H. S. Jennings, who was charged with assaulting Mrs. Lyle Johnston, a nurse, admitted that there had been a dispute between them, but contradicted the evidence of the complainant that lie had bitten and struck her. The nurse was a boarder in Mrs. Jennings's house, and Jennings said that she had been -talking scandal about him, so he ordered her to her room, pushing her through the door. Complainant's story •was to the effect that Jennings had assaulted her whilst under the influence of drink, and after he had been squabbling with his wife. Defendant was fined £3, and costs £1 Is.

HIDDEN IN HER STOCKING. Questioning the witnesses for the prosecution in a highly-excited manner, a middle-aged woman named Edith Wilson vigorously denied that she had stolen 14s 6d from Mrs. Venelia McDonald on the previous day. It was stated by complainant that accused had visited her house, and taken about 13s in silver from the table, during an interval when witness was absent from the room. When accused of the theft she asserted that, she had no money at all in her possession, bub at a constable's request, she pulled down her stocking and the silver dropped on the floor. Accused was fined ' £1, and the Bench ordered that the money found in her possession be returned to Mrs. McDonald. . TWO SAILORMEN. "I was drunk and didn't know what I was doing," said Thomas Farrell, described as a discharged fireman, when charged with stealing a sailor' bag, and contents, valued at 30s. On the 11th of this month he had been drinking with a man named James Cameron, and, when given the latter's bag to hold at the railway station, made off with it. A penalty of £2 was inflicted, in default seven clays, and accused was ordered to pay costs. THE INEBRIATES. The application of the police for a prohibition order against a first offender was granted, and he was ordered to pay costs 17s 6d, incurred during his detention iii gaol. Another first offender was fined Is and costs, John Hawker was convicted and discharged, and William Edward Lowndes was fined £1. in default seven days' imprisonment. Thomas Fitzroy, for his fifth offence, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. DISTURBING THE PEACE. The nominal fine of Is and costs was imposed upon Joshua Abrahams, who did not appear to answer a charge of disturbing the peace in Albert Park. He had been announcing the merits of a side show through a large megaphone, but stopped, and expressed his regret, when a constable spoke to him. • MISCELLANEOUS. It was stated that Walter Lowell, charged with being an incorrigible rogue, having insufficient lawful means of support, would be admitted to the Costley Home, and the Bench accordingly convicted and discharged him.