POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17274, 25 September 1919, Page 3

POLICE COURT NEWS.

THEFTS FROM BOOT SHOPS, THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. Theft, of two pairs cf boots.. -worth £1 10s, from Stone's, Ltd., and of one paii. ■worth £1 os 6d, from E. E. Leaning, and ' of a cold bangle and ring, valued at £2, | the property of some person unknown, i was denied by Cornelius Bartholomew ! Bryan, before Mr. J. E. Wilson, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday. Plain-clothes-Constables Marlowe and Knight gave evidence that the accused j ■was eeen taking a pair of boots from out--1 side Stone's shop, Queen Street, and that, subsenuent inquiries at pawnshops showed that he had sold three pairs, which were traced as having been stolen from thf; two . sliopa mentioned in the charges- When i aiTested a pawnticket for the bangle and I tlie ring was found in his pocket. AcI crified 6aid he had pawned the jewellery : for a lady friend, and the magistrate said j ho would give him the benefit of tha i doubt. On each of the other charges aci cused wag sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour, ths sentences to he concurrent. The return of the boots was also ordered. FINED £10 FOR BEGETTING. A charge that he stole two specimens of gum, and a further charge, that he received two specimens of kauri gum, worth 15s, from Benjamin Phillips, knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained, were denied by Percy Harry Ellis (Mr. Hackett). The evidence for the prosecution was to the effect thai the accused vis l ted the gum store in which Phillips worked. He said he would like a piece of gum, and Phillips gave him three pieces. Phillips, in evidence, said that the accused asked him if he would give him some more, but he replied ''It would be too risky." In cross-examination, witness said he had made a mistake, and had not said that to accused. Counsel submitted that there was no evidence o! theft on the first charge: on the second, accused had no guilty knowledge at th'» time he received the gum. The magistrate said he disbelieved some, of accused's statements in evidence, and fined him £10 on the charge of receiving. The theft charge was dismissed. DAMAGE IN PICTURE THEATRE. The wilful damage of a mirror, a curtain, a door and four pieces of music, the property of Camillio Martinengo, was admitted by a man defended by Mr. Inder. It was stated that the accused, who was a good concertina player, went into the Grand Theatre on August 21 without permission to practice on his favourite instrument. Martinengo, who was concerned in the proprietary, ordered him out. Accused then took some liquor, and being told that Martinengo was a German, went to the West End Theatre, of which Martinengo was manager, and committed the damage complained of. The following day he realised his foolishness and sent a letter of apology to Martinengo, enclosing a cheque for £8. He, also apologised for his misapprehension concerning complainant's nationality, counsel stating that his client had since ascertained that Martinengo was not a German. The magistrate said accused had acted very foolishly, and had rendered hims,"lf liable to 12 months' imprisonment. As hs had paid for the damage he would be- convicted and discharged.

MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES '

! Sirs. Eliza Hamon (Mr. Sullivan}, found I guilty of having assaulted May Lilian Mason, a schoolgirl, by gripping her on ; the arm as she was on her way to school i on August 29, was fined £2 with costs. | Michael Boyle (Mr. Singer) pleaded I guilty to having trespassed on tin* Ellerslie racecourse on April 21, when prohibited. Counsel said that the accused forgot his overcoat, and on going back ] for it was overcome by " the glamour at the course." The magistrate imposed ;i ! fine of £2. Ivan Laycock pleaded guilty to having driven a motor-lorry in Hobson Streetj while drunk. It was stated that tlir. \ accused knocked a man down, and »-o inj jured him that he had to be removed u-> ! the hospital. Accused was fined £2, i\ default seven days' imprisonment. Mick Sumich, who admitted having bought kauri gum from an unlicensed person, and having failed to enter the transi action in his purchase book, was fined £2 and cost*. DRUNKENNESS. For a breach of her prohibition order, and for having refused to leave the Albion Hotel when requested, Manraret O'Gara, described by the sub-inspector as " an incorrigible rogue," was fined £4. Francis Haves, who admitted having entered the Hobson Hotel while prohibited, was fined £1 with lis costs. Thomas Helrne was fined £2 for having committed a breach, of his prohibition order. Two first offenders were convicted and discharged, . and one forfeited 10s baiL ■ .- <■■