MALINGERING ALLEGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19143, 8 October 1925, Page 15

MALINGERING ALLEGED

MASQUERADER IN COURT. ! 'TURNED OUT OF HOSPITAL" DAMAGE TO POLJCE CELL. The young man, Kenneth James Deli, aged 36, who gained some notoriety recently by masquerading as a woman in Queen Street, appeared in the Police Court again yesterday charged with being a rogue and vagabond, inasmuch as he attempted to impose on the Auckland Hospital Board by falsely representing that he was ill. with a view to obtaining admission to the infirmary. He was also charged with damaging the padding of a cell at the police watch-house to the extent of 10s. Mr. Matthews represented accused, who intimated his intention to claim right of trial by jury on the more serious charge. He admitted causing the damage alleged in the second charge. Constable Buckley said that accused was placed i.i a padded coil at the police station on Monday. In accordance with regulations, his bootlaces were removed and he was provided with a blanket out no mattress, Witness visited the ceil and found accused had torn the padd.ng away from the wall and had used the securing cord to lace his boots. Accused: I was very ill and did not do it deliberately. The Constable: You been a source of expense at the hospital and have been turned out for malingering. Accused : I was ill and they were going to prepare the X-ray when— The Magistrate, Mr. Hunt: When they found out you were humbugging them. Senior-Sergeant Edwards said accused told him he wanted the padding from the cell walls for a bed. Mr. Hunt: I will fine him for the summary oSence. Let him have a week up at ine gaol on remand. He will probably change his mind.. Ido not want to send this trivial matter for a Supreme Court trial. Accused was remanded until next Thursday on the first charge, and was fined £l, in default seven days' imprisonment, tor damaging the celL