POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19660, 11 June 1927, Page 14

POLICE COURT NEWS.

ASSAULT IN THE STREET. PROSECUTION OF WO MEN. CONFLICTING STORY OF WITNESS. Charges of fighting in Queen Street, , Northcote, were admitted in the Police , Court yesterday by John Kennedy Brown (Mr. Davis) and Robert Cayaye. Brown wa3 also charged with assaulting Alfred 1L Griffiths, but pleaded not guilty. Griffiths gave evidence that he saw Brown and Cavaye fighting, and remonstrated with the formor, as Cavayo was drunk. He took Cavaye along tho road, but after going about 200 yds. was again met by Brown, who attempted to strike Cavaye. As witness was turning away he was struck a heavy blow, and knew no more. His nose was broken, and one ear was injured. Arthur Edward Stillwell said Griffiths "went for" Brown, and the two were scuffling for about ten minutes before the blow was struck which caused Griffiths to fall. Sub-Inspector Lewin said tho last witness had told a very different story to the police when interviewed, and requested him to read out his statement, in which he said that Brown was the aggressor all through. Tho magistrate, Mr. McKean, said he was satisfied Griffiths was not tho aggressor. Brown's case was not helped by the fact that a witness who had described him as the aggressor to the police now swore on oath that Griffiths was the aggressor. The magistrate said he hoped the police would not allow Stillwell witness' expenses. On the charge of fighting Brown was fined £2 and Cavaye £l. On the assault charge Brown was fined £3, with costs £1 10s, half the fine to be paid to Griffiths. IMPRISONMENT FOR BEGGING. A plea of guilty was entered by Alexander Mellis, aged 64, to a charge of begging alms in a city street. * Chief-Detective Cummings said accused was seen accosting people in the street, and later he approached a detective and asked for a shilling for a meal. When searched he had lis 3d in his possession, so that there was no need for him to beg for a meal. He had recently been sentenced to two months' imprisonment on a charge of vagrancy, and was released from prison only on May 30. He had 33 previous convictions. Accused: Things are so bad that it is hard to get work. Tho Magistrate: Yes, they must have been bad for a -long time, I should think, judging by your list. Sentence of two months' imprisonment was imposed. THEFT OF DIAMOND RING. A charge of stealing a diamond ring valued at £22 10s was admitted by a girl aged 16, whose name was suppressed. The chief-detective said accused took the ring while visiting a friend's house. Later, probably owing to fear of discovery, she pledged it with a pawnbroker for £1 10s. The owner of the ring reported the matter to the police, but in the meantime the girl's mother discovered the theft, redeemed the ring and returned it to the owner. The girl's parents were well known and of very high repute. The magistrate said he would adjourn the matter for six months, and order the girl to report to Major Gordon in the meantime. OWNERSHIP OF A DOG. Tho theft of a cattle dog, valued at £lO, the property of James Watt, of the Purewa Public Works camp, was denied by Walter Reid Hill. Evidence was given that accused took tho dog from the camp in a car, but that it had since been lost. Accused admitted taking the dog, but stated he had lost a dog similarly marked. He believed that the dog was his own property. Cross-examined by the chief-detective accused admitted having previously been convicted of theft and breaking and entering. , The magistrate said he was satisfied the dog was Watt's 'property. He would adjourn the matter for a week, and if at the end of that time the dog had been returned to Watt he would take this into consideration. FAILURE TO ACCOUNT. Frank John O'Neill, aged 34 (Mr. Singer), appeared for sentence on three charges of failing to account to Kretschmar, Limited, for three sums of money totalling £2O 19s 9d. Mr. J. W. Campbell, probation officer, said that in consequence of further information which he had received he was not satisfied with accused's conduct, and would recommend his admission to probation for two years. The magistrate placed accused on probation for two years., and ordered him to make restitution of £2O 19s 9d. MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES. A charge of stealing 40yds. of silk valued at £5 6s Bd, the property of the Union Steam Ship Company, was preferred against John Wallace Thurlow and Lewis Robert William Knight, both aged 25 (Mr. Sullivan). Accused were remanded until June 21, bail being fixed at £SO each. William Henry Grant, aged 33, was charged with the tlioft of ten watches valued at £3O, tho property of Victor Edgars, on May 3. Accused was re manded until June 20, the chief-detective stating that further charges were pending. ASSAULT AT DEVONPORT. Two young men, Roy James and Albert Hales (Mr. Bryce Hart) were charged with assaulting Hugh W. Barnhill at Devonport on April 26, Hales was also charged with assaulting William T. Webb on the same occasion. Evidence was given that as Barnhill was looking in a shop-window accused, who were passing, made insulting remarks. They then assailed him, tearing the ribbon from his hat and punching him, until he retreated into a chemist's shop. Later Barnhill met Webb and a young lady, and as they walked up the street they met Hales, who adopted a threatening attitude toward Barnhill. Webb stepped between them and remonstrated with Hales, who apologised. Hales then suddenly rushed at Webb, and the two fell in the gutter. James and Hales stated Barnhill and Webb were the aggressors, and that James took no part in either scuffle. The magistrate said the account of the witnesses for the prosecution seemed to be much the more probable, and fined Hales £2 on each charge, with costs £2 ss, and James £l, with costs 55.,