POLICE COURT NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 17

POLICE COURT NEWS.

ARREST AFTER A. YEAR

CONVICTION ON THEFT CHARGE. After a year's search the police arrested William Ernest Redman, aged 26, labourer, in Auckland on Monday night on a charge of stealing two primus stoves belonging to .James Smith, at Whitianga, in February, 1928. When charged in the Polico Court yesterday with the theft accused pleaded guilty. It was stated that the offence was not a serioua one and that both the stoves had been returned to Mr. Smith, Redman, who was in poor circumstances, had frankly admitted his guilt. As accused had spent the night in the cells, the magistrate said he would merely convict and discharge him. An English seaman, George Newton, aged 3(5, pleaded guilty to a charge of having deserted from the British ship, Raranga on April Jl6 It was said accused had reported a day before the vessel sailed for England, but it was then too late for him to join it. The magistrate imposed a fine of 10s on accused, who said lie would endeavour to get another ship back to England. Said to have slept out and searched rubbish tips for a crust, John Collie, aged CO, labourer, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment on a charge of being idle and disorderly, in that he had no money. He was penniless when arrested on Monday afternoon. On a further count of having stolen a telephone receiver belonging to the Post and Telegraph Department, accused was convicted and discharged. Denying having stolen the article, Collie said he found it. With a penny in his possession Daniel Keane, aged 49, labourer, who was described as having a long list of convictions, was arrested at midnight on Monday. When charged with being idle and disorderly, in that ho had no means of support, accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. It was stated he had been sleeping out and hiding in doorways. "Gaol is the only place for him during the winter," said the magistrate.