POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19203, 17 December 1925, Page 8

POLICE COURT NEWS.

THEFTS FROM MOTOR-CARS. MAN WITH A BAD RECORD. SIX MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. "Accused is a bad criminal and has a long list," said Chief-Detective Curnmings in "the Police Court yesterday, when George O'Brien, aged 47, admitted Mealing an overcoat valued at 1-5 17s 6d, the property of Francis John Hazard, and a rug valued at £3, the property of Thomas Selvvyn Miller. Detective Craigic said frequent thefts from motor-cars had been complained of, and tho articles mentioned were taken from cars in city streets by accused. Ihey had subsequently been pawned by him. Mr. Cummings said accused made his first appearance in Court in 1905 for false pretences, and had since been convicted of assault and theft on numerous occasions. It was a serious matter for a man to leave his car parked in the street and to have a rug or overcoats removed from ii. The magistrate, Mr. Poynton, imposed a sentence of six months' imprisonment oil each charge, the terms to be concurrent. A WEAKNESS FOR STEALING. "This young woman was staying at the house from which the articles weie stolen,'' said Chief-Detective Cuinmitigs in tho Police Court yesterday, when Barbara Isabella Clifton Martin, aged 13, admitted tho theft of a gold wristlet watch and handbag, of a total value of £ls, The chief detective said an opportunity offered itself while the other people were out, of the house, and accused, securing a kev to ma of the rooms, went inside and took the articles, which were suhso <}uently traced to her by the police. The young woman was known to the Salvation Army authorities, and her general lie* hav:uur was not very satisfactory. Major Gordon said she had been trying to keep accused out of a Court for t\to years. She had a penchant for stealing, and although she had a good home she was in the habit, of running away. Her parents had erred on the side of kindness toward her. The Chief Detective: I think Major Gordon can assure Your Worship this is not accused's first or even tenth lapse. The magi -Irate warned the girl that a further offence would result in her being sent to the Borstal Institute. On the present charge she would he admitted to probation for three years, the first six months to he spent at the Salvation Army Homo. Her recreations, amusements and associations would be controlled by the probation officer. VAGABOND SENT TO GAOL. John Newaid. aged 31. denied being idle and disorderly in that he had insufficient lawful means of support. Senior Sergeant Edwards said accused had been committed to the Salvation Army Hume. lie had wandered away and a warrant had to be issued for his arrest. The Magistrate: 1 am afraid he is riot anxious to reform. It was stated that accused had previouslv been convicted for vagrancy. A sentence of one' month's imprisonment was imposed. REMAND FOR TREATMENT. '''When found sleeping out accused said lie had done no work for three or four weeks, and had not eaten for some time, although he had been drinking." said the senior-sergeant, in referring to Daniel Devlin, aged 53. who was charged with vagrancy. "lie has never been before the Court except for drunkenness." Accused was remanded for one week for medical f reatrnent.