POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18022, 22 February 1922, Page 10

POLICE COURT NEWS.

SERIES OF PETTY THEFTS.

SIX MONTHS' HARD LABOUR. A Bcrius of theft b of various articles, principally overcoats and umbrellas," was admitted by Andrew Duncan, aged 26, in tho Police Court yesterday before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. The t°tal valuo of the stolen property, which comprised two concertinas and case containing various articles, four overcoats, four umbrellas, a silk handkerchief and hat, was £40 15s. There wero nine charges in all. Detective McHugh said' he arrested accused on February 13 on a charge of tho theft of tho concertinas and case. Accused subsequently admitted the other charges. In a statement produced accused said ho came to New Zealand from Glasgow about 18 months ago, being assisted | by the Government. After leaving his last i position, several weeks-ago, he came to I town, and when his money was exhausted I he slept out in the Domain. ■ He had I stolen several of the overcoats and umbrellas from the Commercial Travellers' Club, and with the proceeds stayed at his former boarding house till he' was put out, as ho was unablo to pay iurther board, again sleeping in tho Domain. With the proceeds of, further thefts he stayed at another boarding house for one night, and stole the concertinas and case. The magistrate said it was a very bad case. Accused was sentenced to 6ix months' hard labour. MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES. A fine of £3, in default seven days' imprisonment, was imposed on James Thompson, aged 52, for having committed an indecent act in tho street. Peter Paul Moran appeared on a charge of having failed to provide maintenance for his wife and children. By consent an order was made for the payment of £3 a week, Reginald Freeman was charged with having fraudulently omitted to account for or pay £43 which ho had received from H. T. Sbackleford on terms requiring him to account for the same to Brown and Durea, Wellington, thereby committing thefts. He was remanded for a week.' On a charge of vagrancy James McFarlane, aged 23, was remanded for a week to enable inquiries to. be made.