POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16032, 25 September 1915, Page 5

POLICE COURT NEWS.

"BACK FROM THE FRONT."

BOGUS SOLDIER SENTENCED.

A charge of wearing the King's uniform under such circumstances as were likely to bring it into contempt was preferred against Mervyn Bernard, who appeared before Mr. F. V. Frazer, S.M., at the Police Court yesterday. Sergeant Rutledge said the accused was employed on the railway works at Waiuku and on September 21 visited Pukekohe wearing a khaki uniform. He told everyone he had been wounded on the Gallipoli Peninsula and had just returned. As a matter of fact, he was discharged from Trentham last December, and had never been near the firing-line. People, however, took him at his word and treated him welL Such acts as this needed to be severely dealt with, as they would only prevent people from assisting genuine cases of distress among soldiers who were actually wounded while fighting and returned to New Zealand. The accused remarked that he committed the offence while in a state of drunkenness.

The magistrate said it was scandalous that a man should wear the uniform to obtain some personal benefit he was not entitled to. Accused would be sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment with hard labour, and would be prohibited for 12 months.

DECISION RESERVED. Charles Philpot (Mr. A. Moody) pleaded not guilty to a charge of publishing a document containing a notification as to betting on horse races. Chief-Detective McManon said a man was arrested at Hamilton recently, and among the documents found in his pockets was an envelope containing a double bettinc chart on races to be run at the Grand National meeting; also a card with defendant's name on _ it. The man admitted that he had previously done business with defendant. Mr. Moody said there was no evidence to show that defendant had forwarded the chart to the person in whose possession it was found. He referred the magistrate to authorities on the matter. Decision was reserved.

SEQUEL TO A COLLISION. Walter Leslie Bayliss (Mr. J. McVeagh) was charged that being the driver of a motor-car in Grey Street, and intending to turn to the right to enter Wakefield Street, he did fail before so turning to continue across on the left-hand side of the intersection of Queen and Grey Streets. George Maurice Morris (Mr. Singer) was charged with furiously driving a motorbicycle along Queen Street. Bayliss pleaded guilty, and Morris not guiltv. It appears that Bayliss left the Grey Street entrance to the Town Hall about noon on June 30, and intended to proceed into Wakefield Street. At the same time Morris was riding a motor-cycle along Queen Street towards Karangahape Road. Both collided, and Morris had his right leg broken. After hearing lengthy evidence the magistrate ordered Morris to pay 10s costs, and fined Bayliss 5s and 7s costs.

SCHOOL TEACHER INSULTED. R. de Brabandere (Mr. A. E. Skelton) pleaded guilty to a charge of having caused to be delivered to Clarence John Murphy, school-teacher at Titirangi, an indecent letter. Mr. Blomfield, who appeared for the Teachers' Institute, said the trouble had arisen through a child, of whom defendant was the guardian. There had been considerable trouble regarding the attendance of the child at school, and Mr. Murphy informed the boy that when he was absent he would have to bring a note explaining why he did not go to school. In consequence of this defendant wrote the letter complained of. Mr. Skelton said defendant was a Belgian, and did not quite understand the law. On the Continent considerable license was allowed, and he apparently thought he could express himself in the same way here. The defendant was very sorry for what he had done, and offered to make every possible reparation to complainant. The magistrate, after pointing out the seriousness of the offence, imposed a fine of £5 and costs £2 9s. YOUTH'S LAPSE. A youth, for whom Mr. A. Moody appeared, pleaded guilty to stealing £1 8s and six electro-plated cigarette cases, the property of Spedding, Ltd., also an overcoat, valued at £2 10s, the property of Charles C. Sanford. Senior-Sergeant Rutledge said the accused was employed by Spedding, Ltd., and had stolen the'money when being sent over with cablegrams to the Telegraph Office. He also took an overcoat belonging to Mr. Sanford, a salesman with Spedding, Ltd. He had been convicted in 1908 for-theft, but since then had not been in trouble.

Mr. Moody said the boy received 12s 6d a week, and gave the whole amount to his father. He spent the money he had stolen in the purchase of boots, and cigarettes, and attending picture shows. He had borne a good character, and the Court might, with advantage, allow him another chance. Detective-Sergeant Hollis gave evidence as to the accused's good character. The magistrate said he would order accused to come up for sentence when called upon, provided he refunded the money stolen, returned the overcoat, and placed himself under the control ol the juvenile probation officer, Mr. F. S. Shell.

MISCELLANEOUS. Two first offenders for drunkenness were each fined 53. Henry Morgan was convicted and discharged for drunkenness, and fined £1 for procuring liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. The hearing of the charges against Thomas Francis Honlahan (Mr. Hall Skelton), of receiving goods well knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained, was continued. The case for the prosecution was completed when the Court rose at 6 p.m., and evidence for the defence will be called on Wednesday.