CARS WRONGFULLY USED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18631, 12 February 1924, Page 5

CARS WRONGFULLY USED

TWO YOUNG MEN CONVICTED. ONE MONTH'S IMPRISONMENT. "ABSURD TO EXPECT LENIENCY." •S, "I ■ !■! ■■ Two young "joy-riders" weia brought to book before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, when the temporary disappearances of a number of motor-cars were accounted for. The accused. Cyril Percy Hurle, aged 26, and Albert Arthur Dare, aged 22 (Mr. Moody), pleaded guilty. . Accused were charged with having converted to their oWn use on January 12 a Chandler car, valued at £350, the property of Thomas Edward Ireland: on January 16, a Ford car, valued at £103, the pro-, perty of Thornton Mills; on February 2, a Hupmobile car, valued at £350, the property of a man, G. P. Finh.y; on February 9, a Standard car, valued at £200, the property of Susan Agnes Staples; and, on the same date, a car valued at £250, the proprety of Harold Hadfield. The theft of a tin of benzine, valued at 9s, on February 9, was also admitted. Senior Detective Hammond stated that damage to the extent of £29 Is 6d had been done to the different cars. The cars were taken after the men had had a few drinks. When they took Mr. Ireland's car from outside an hotel, the owner gave chase in another car, but hia own being of higher power, could not be overhauled, and was eventually recovered at Onehunga, damaged to the extent of £3. Counsel pleaded for a fine. He pointed out that both accused were married. Hi< thought the owners of the cars would rather get money from accused than that, they should be sent to gaol. Senior-Detective Hammond reminded the magistrate that both had enjoyed a very long run, and had given the deteotive staff no end of trouble. _ . "Yes, I think every magistrate in New Zealand has had something to say about this class of offence," said Mr. Poynton, S.M. It was no light matter, he continued. This class of offence was often due to a man wishing to show off. Accused had taken the cars without giving a thought to the inconvenienco they were causing the owners. It was absurd to expect leniency. Each accused was sentenced to a month's imprisonment on one charge, and convicted and discharged on the remaining four.