POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18380, 21 April 1923, Page 14

POLICE COURT NEWS.

"A SNAPPY LITTLE PARTY."

YOUNG MAN IN BAD COMPANY.

"He is going along the edge of a precipice and if not tinned will fall over it," said Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M. in the Police Court yesterday after hearing the evidence in a case against Leslie George Donaldson, aged 23 (Mr. Leary), who was charged with having no visible lawful means of support, and also with habitually consorting with reputed thieves and prostitutes. Accused pleaded not guilty. Senior-Detective Cummings stated that he had not known accused to do any work for the past two years. He habitually consorted with reputed thieves. Witness had often warned him about his associates. Accused had asked for a chance on account of his mother's health and that was why he had been treated so leniently. In a statement to witness accused said that he had; been out of work for three and a-half years and had had only one day's work in the past six months. He had been looking for work every day for some time, and had joined the tally clerk's union, but could not get work. Last*"Wednesday afternoon he was invited by a taxi driver to go for a drive. There were four men and they picked up three young women in the city. They had drinks in the city and at Newmarket 18 bottles of beer and stout were brought into the car. They then drove to One Tree Hill. There was a row there and fists were used. All the liquor was consumed. One of the girls had a "fit" and did not come to for about 15 minutes. Witness said that the party was a disgraceful affair. Two other detectives gave evidence, one of them classing accused as a racecourse guesser." Several witnesses were called for the defence and accused himself gave evidence. Mr. Leary said it was true that in the past accused had been mixed up with companions about whom the police, knew more than he did and that he had been warned, but he was not now consorting with those persons and at the time did not know what they were. It was true he had been convicted, but that was two years ago. He had taken only a minor part in "a snappy little party" at One Tree Hill, but had no idea when he started out what it would degenerate into. Of late he had made an honest attempt to " take a pull," and had tried to get work, going out twice every day to seek employment. It was not true that he had no means of support, as he lived with his invalid mother, who had some means. Counsel urged that accused should be given a chance.

The magistrate said he would give accused a chance but must convict him. He should be, kept under supervision. Accused was convicted on the consorting charge and admitted to probation for one year. ASSAULT ON MOTORMAN. An episode in Customs Street, involving an assault on a tram motorman and ; the use of obscene language proved rather expensive for Charles Bennett, a labourer aged 42 (Mr. Sullivan), who pleaded guilty to the charges. • Senior-Sergeant Rawle said that accused was ejected from a tram owing to his drunken condition, and he caused some trouble. The motorman came to the assistance of the conductor and accused struck him with a plate, bruising his hip. Accused had been before the Court previously, but not since 1911. -','', - Counsel said that the man was incapable, owing to drink, and had no recollection of what occurred. He was ex 4 tremelv sorry for what he had done and was willing to make any monetary repara* tion. Accused was fined £2 for the assault, £1 to be paid to the motorman; and on the other charge was fined £5 and 1 costs £2. He was allowed a week in which to pay. v; ■ DAMAGE TO MOTOR-CAR. When George Newcombe Rowe, aged 64, admitted charges of drunkenness and wilfully damaging a motor-car side curtain, it was stated that when being conveyed to the police station in a taxi he deliberately put his hand through the curtain. He was fined £1 and ordered to pay the damage, 10s. >