A NOCTURNAL VISITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19031, 30 May 1925, Page 12

A NOCTURNAL VISITOR.

MAN IN BOARDING HOUSE. Two charges of unlawful presence by night in a boarding house in Wcllcsley Street were denied by a single man, aged 54, for whom Mr. Matthews appeared, in the Police Court yesterday. Irene Laydon, daughter of the proprietress, said she knew accused who lived in a house, the yard of which adjoined tho boarding house at the back. On May 6 witness saw accused in a building on her mother's premises. Questioned by her hn said he was occupying room 21. lie then left tho house. There was no room of this number. Last Tuesday evening at about 11 o'clock, witness saw accused near the back door and later fuurid him near a bedroom. He left the house without any explanation. Witness' mother had warned accused to keep off tho premises. Annie Lcydon, proprietress of the boarding house, said she told accused she would inform the polico if he continued to trespass. The boarders had recently suffered from the depredations of some lightfingered person who took money and clothing. Witness had herself lost linen and on one occasion a joint of meat.. Acting-Detective McWhirter said .accused admitted being on the premises on the first occasion alleged. He said ho had waited outside for young lady who had told him she occupied a room in tho house. He entered the boarding house, to ascertain if this was correct. Ho denied being in the house last Tuesday, and said his brother could support, an alibi. Witness told accused he had found the alibi could not be sustained. Mr. Matthews said accused had a good character. He was in business as an advertising agent. There was no suggestion oi' criminal motive and he was more than adequately punished for his indiscretion. Chief-Detective Cummings: I do not regard this as a petty affair. He received a warning. The Magistrate, Mr. Poynton: The proprietress was quite right. She has good reasons for keeping prowlers away. Accused was fined £2 and an order was granted for suppression of his name.