PROSECUTION FAILS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20333, 14 August 1929, Page 14

PROSECUTION FAILS.

CHARGE OF VAGRANCY.

STATEMENTS BY DETECTIVES

A plea of not guilty was entered by Patrick Byrno, aged 35, who was charged in tlm Police Court yesterday with being idle and disorderly in that ho consorted with reputed thieves.

Detective Knight stated that when ho visited a hotiso at 15, Wellington Street on the evening of August 2, ho found accused asleep on a sofa. lie was then undor tho influence of liquor. Tho house belonged to a convicted thief, and was kept by him and his wifo, who had been convicted on a charge of keeping a disorderly house. In the room with accused was a man who was a reputed thief, and a woman, who was a convicted thief. Accused, who stated ho had been living in tho house for throe weeks, had no money. Prior to witness' entry to tho liouso another convicted thief had boon seen to leave.

Detective Sneddon and Acting-Detectivo llowman gavo corroborativo evidenco, whilo Dotcctivo Moon stated ho had soon accused in tho streets with tho tenant of tho house twice during tho week preceding accused's arrest. "Thero is not enough to say that ho has habitually consorted with thieves," •*aid tho magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, who remarked that accused was a seaman and had been ashoro for only thrco weeks. Ho warned accused to go to sea again as soon as possible. Mr. Sullivan, who appeared for Byrne, said accused had been staying at. the house sinco ho had como ashore. It was un-' fortunate that he had chosen a house that, had tho reputation given it by tho police. "A man met his death near thia house," remarked the magistrate, as ho discharged Byrne.